What’s Afoot in British Columbia?

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Five human feet have washed up on the shores of British Columbia over the past year, and a sixth was thought to be discovered this week. The most recent discovery turned out to be a hoax: animal bones had been placed inside a sock and shoe and wrapped in seaweed.

But the fake foot has brought attention to the weird problem facing Canadian forensic pathologists.

Over the past eleven months, four left feet and one right, all in tennis shoes, have come ashore along the Pacific coast area of the Canadian province.

British Columbia police have said no foul play is suspected, at least as to how the feet became disconnected from their ah, leg bones. They are investigating missing persons cases, to determine if any of the feet could belong to people thought to have drowned.

Three years ago, a plane crashed into the ocean near the beach where the feet have washed up. Four of the five men aboard have never been found. DNA comparisons are underway to determine if the feet belong to any of them.

With the currents the way they are, bodies can travel quite a distance before ending up washing ashore, say oceanographers.

But, you may be wondering (as I certainly was), why feet?

Forensic experts explain that a decomposing body deteriorates joints, and the ankle joint is particularly susceptible to becoming detached from the body during decomposition, a process called disarticulation.

In addition, an athletic shoe is naturally buoyant and would easily float to the surface of the water, as well as be carried further distances than other body parts.

That makes sense, but it’s still weird.

"It’s certainly very unusual," agreed Constable Annie Linteau with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).