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Autumn: Please describe your educational background and field(s) of expertise.
Dr. Meldrum: BS, MS Zoology (Anatomy & Physiology emphasis) Brigham Young University, PhD Anatomical Science (physical anthropology emphasis) SUNY Stony Brook, Visiting Assistant Professor Duke University Medical Center, Assistant Professor Northwestern University Medical Center, Associate Professor Idaho State University
Autumn: What particular event sparked your interest in the Bigfoot phenomenon?
Dr. Meldrum: Initially, it was Patterson's appearance in the Spokane Coliseum to show his documentary and film footage, followed by an article in National Wildlife Magazine. I read quite widely on the subject as a youngster ( I learned world geography through Sanderson's tome). Eventually, I became completely out of touch with the subject, until crossing paths with Richard Greenwell. I was invited to examine the "Redwood's video." While this intrigued me, it was the opportunity to examine what appeared to be fresh tracks outside of Walla Walla, Washington that set the hook as far as my intellectual curiosity.
Autumn: What did you set out to discover when you began studying this subject?
Dr. Meldrum: I wanted to conduct a more extensive and systematic assessment of the footprint evidence, since that was an area of research expertise. My aim was to assemble as much of the available footprint cast and photographs as reasonably possibly. I was looking for repeat appearances of recognizable individuals, signs of dynamics, and most importantly indications of the underlying functional morphology of the foot.
Autumn: Please describe your track collection. Where and from whom did the casts come from? Approximately how many are there?
Dr. Meldrum: I have secured the bulk of Freeman's collection from the Blue Mtns of Washington and Oregon. I also have the bulk of Dr. Grover Krantz's collection. In addition, many individuals have been very generous in sharing their discoveries with me and permitting me to duplicate their casts or photographs, for which I am considerably indebted. They have contributed greatly to the picture of the sasquatch foot that has emerged. Each additional specimen has the potential to add another piece to the puzzle.
Autumn: Let's talk for a moment about dermal ridges. What precipitated this discovery? What have you found and why is it significant?
Dr. Meldrum: Krantz is to be credited for first widespread drawing attention to this feature of a limited number of casts of footprints left under specific conditions. I have pointed out additional examples that appear to suggest the presence of dermal ridges. Officer Chilcutt has examined examples of these and has identified typical characteristics of ridge detail that seem to be of a more coarse texture and that exhibit details of flow pattern that are unusual. He also recognized what appear to be healed scars. A great deal of work remains to be done to complete the analysis of this evidence.
Autumn: What other things of interest have you found in your cast collection or in tracks you've studied in the field?
Dr. Meldrum: By examining a large series of footprints, I think I have a better feel for the underlying consistency and the range of variation about the typical pattern. I think we have a better sense of the proportions of the foot and its articulations or joints. The apparent presence of a midtarsal break places the sasquatch locomotor adaptation at the very least parallel to the evolution of bipedalism in Pliocene hominids.
Autumn: As a scientist, what do you feel we really KNOW about this species so far?
Dr. Meldrum: With the emphasis on KNOW, I would have to say very little. I think we can draw reasonable inferences based on consistently reported anatomies and behaviors. It seems a rather generalized and adaptable species that may have a great deal of plasticity in its behavioral ecology.
Autumn: What kind of field research have you conducted?
Dr. Meldrum: I have spent extended time in various regions of the Northwest and Intermountain West in collaboration with several very apt and talented investigators. We have experimented with the application of a variety of devices and instruments familiar to all those who have attempted the same. As funding permits we will continue those efforts as well as explore novel methods.
Autumn: The synopsis for the Rocky Mountain Bigfoot DVD describes hair samples and fingerprint evidence you've examined and found compelling. Can you describe some of this?
Dr. Meldrum: This DVD was produced as a class project by a handful of ambitious and talented ISU students. It focuses on some events, historical and contemporary from this general region. My comments about hair reiterate the conclusions drawn by Henner Fahrenbach, regarding his growing collection of hair samples. As an anatomist, the existence of this distinctive assemblage of hair is quite intriguing, while acknowledging the challenges and difficulties associate with precise hair identification. Similarly the "fingerprint" evidence is in reference to Jimmy Chilcutt's observations, and those who have preceded him.
Autumn: What made you decide to become involved in the "Rocky Mountain Bigfoot" project?
Dr. Meldrum: The course director, Professor Mike Trinklein, is a friend of mine and has been very supportive of my interest and pursuit of this question. I was happy to make myself and my resources available to his students. As I said, I think they did a quite professional job and viewers will find interesting information about this region.
Autumn: What were some of your findings in the field?
Dr. Meldrum: A report of our initial fieldwork in the Siskiyous was published in the journal Cryptozoology, which can be had from the International Society of Cryptozoology (http://www.internationalsocietyofcryptozoology.org/). Other research efforts are ongoing at this time.
Autumn: What about that area suggests that the environment might be suitable for these creatures? Is there evidence of a substantial population?
Dr. Meldrum: There is certainly indication of a dependence on abundant moisture. It is revealing to compare maps with distributions of reports with an annual precipitation overlay. I suspect that population densities overall are less that in the Pacific Northwest, but a consistent presence is indicated and appropriate to the available habitats.
Autumn: Based on your findings and studies of the Pacific Northwest, can you speculate on a population estimate?
Dr. Meldrum: I prefer to approach the subject from the perspective of what seems to be a reasonable population in a given region. If we can speculate on the most likely social structure, It is probably a noyau -- a dominant male with a range overlapping that of several females. They seem to range widely - one estimate based on analysis of data suggests 1000 square miles (this would certainly vary with habitat productivity and season). Take such a unit and extrapolate to the area of suitable habitat and you might have an approximate number.
Autumn: In your opinion, what would constitute "proof" of these creatures' existence? Are dermal ridges, hair samples and footprints enough?
Dr. Meldrum: Traditionally, a type specimen is needed to establish the existence of a novel species. It is my hope that definitive DNA data will suffice in this case, although there is no precedent for that. Without a type, it still remains an inference that the tissue yielding the DNA indeed came from a sasquatch.
Autumn: The Skookum cast - what makes it so compelling? What's your final determination?
Dr. Meldrum: I have actually never suggested that the Skookum cast is all that compelling. It is rather obtuse, in that its significance is lost on all but those who have the specialized knowledge to recognize it for what it appears to be. Had there been a clear sasquatch footprint associated with it, much of the silly speculation would have been avoided. The most striking feature for me was the especially clear heel and calcaneal tendon imprint. I was gratified that Daris Swindler, a fellow primate anatomist, confirmed my identification of this anatomy.
Autumn: What would you suggest as a viable approach to successful field research for an unknown, elusive hominid?
Dr. Meldrum: It must be a proactive, rather than a reactive approach. We need to become familiar with the habitat and its food and shelter potential. Solitary, reclusive animals are notoriously the most difficult to observe and to document. It will require a long-term, sustained and concerted effort in the field.
Autumn: How has your interest in this field been received by your colleagues in the scientific community?
Dr. Meldrum: As you might imagine, the response has spanned the gambit of imaginable reactions, from the enthusiastic support and endorsement to blatant visceral rejection.
Autumn: What, in your opinion, will it take to gather enough interest for a scientific/academic study of these creatures?
Dr. Meldrum: A DNA sequence from an independent lab.
Autumn: Finally, on a personal note, have you thought about how you might react if you were to come face to face with one of these creatures?
Dr. Meldrum: Sitting in a secluded blind at night gives one a great deal of time to reflect on that question. I think I have an informed attitude towards the prospect of that situation should it arise and I hope that I will have the presence of mind to maximize the opportunity. Time will tell.
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