IN Podiatrist Uses Forensic Techniques on Alleged Sasquatch Foot Prints
As forensic podiatrist Dr. Michael Nirenberg sees it, "Every foot tells a story." He should know. The Crown Point (IN) podiatrist's analysis of casts and molds of footprints may help determine if the story of Sasquatch is fact or fiction. Some consider Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, to be a combination of folklore, misidentification, and hoaxes. Nirenberg, who practices podiatry at Friendly Foot Care, was hired to examine potential Sasquatch footprints Wednesday in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, for an episode of the History Channel's "MonsterQuest," which is expected to air in March.
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Dr. Michael Nirenberg examines alleged sasquatch foot prints |
"Nothing I looked at looked or felt like a hoax," Nirenberg told The Times on Monday. But he's not exactly sure what made the footprints, he said. He said the prints he examined had some similarities and differences to human feet, but doesn't think a human made them. "I don't know what's out there," Nirenberg said. Nirenberg and Dr. John Bindernagel, who has researched Sasquatch for about 30 years, studied several casts and molds of footprints. Some were located by Bindernagel.
While Nirenberg couldn't determine what made the footprints, he said the prints can be "a very powerful piece of evidence." He said footprints have been valuable in other situations, such as crime investigations. "I find feet exciting," he said. Nirenberg said he was honored he was selected to give his opinion on the footprints, and he hopes he will be called upon again if more prints are found. He also hopes his involvement in the research will spark more scientific interest to help find the Sasquatch or prove it doesn't exist. "Hopefully, it will make a difference and get people involved and interested," Nirenberg said.
Source: Chas Reilly, Northwest Indiana Times [12/9/08]
