Forensic Science

An Introduction to Scientific and

Investigative Techniques
Stuart H. James and Jon J. Nordby

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Chapter 19
Forensic Footwear Evidence
Chapter Author: William J. Bodziak
Presentation created by Greg Galardi, Peru, Nebraska
Edited by Stuart H. James, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and
Dan Mabel, Richmond, Virginia

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Forensic Footwear Evidence

Physical contact between footwear and
a viable surface leaves a transfer of
class and individual characteristics,
which can be used in identification of
possible suspects

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Forensic Footwear Evidence

Steps of footwear evidence collection:

Detection and recovery of footwear

evidence from scene of crime
Enhancing evidence as necessary
Producing known impressions of shoes
being examined
Comparing crime scene impression with
footwear

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Forms of Footwear Impressions

Three Dimensional Impressions

impression remaining after a shoe
permanently deforms a surface- found
in sand, mud, snow
Two Dimensional impressions those
impressions made on tile linoleum,
wood flooring etc. Some are highly
visible and others are latent

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Information from Footwear

Impressions
The following information may be
obtained from footwear impressions:

Identification of Footwear
Elimination of Footwear
Participation of suspect in crime
Location of Impressions
Rebuttal or confirmation of alibis
Determination of shoe brand FBI
Laboratory

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Information from Footwear

Impressions

Linking of Suspects to the Crime Scene

Determination of Shoe Size
Number of perpetrators
Association with Other Evidence
Gait Characteristics
Tracking

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Location and Recovery of

Footwear Impressions

It is critical that proper techniques be

used to locate, document and recover
footwear evidence
Full and partial impressions must be
recovered
Scene should be secured and evidence
collected

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

Location and Recovery of

Footwear Impressions

Electrostatic Lifting aggressive

technique to recover impression,
normally on tile, wood, etc
Placards or markers used to document
locations of impressions
If possible, remove and transport
impressions

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

12

Location and Recovery of

Footwear Impressions

Quality photographs should be taken of

impressions if they can not be
transported
Photographs are taken for later
comparison with suspected footwear,
therefore they must be very clear
Scale should be used to gauge size of
footprint

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

13

Two Dimensional Impressions

Once an impression has been

photographed, the print may be able to
be lifted
Electrostatic lifting transfers
Fingerprint powder in combination with
mikrosil may be used on impressions
where electrostatic lifting does not
work

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

15

Three Dimensional
Impressions

Dental stone is primary method of

casting footwear impressions
On wet surfaces, a spray wax may have
to be used first to seal impression
Mix dental stone with water in a ziplock
bag for 3 minutes
Stone hardens in 20 minutes
In 24-48 hours it will have fully
hardened

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

18

Enhancement Methods
Poor impressions may have to be
enhanced by one of the following
means:

Forensic Photography oblique,

ultraviolet, infrared or other special
methods
Physical Methods latent powder, lifting
impressions, or impressions on paper

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

20

Enhancement Methods
Chemical Methods reagents such as
leuco crystal violet, amido 10 black,
luminol or fuschin acid may be used
Digital Methods Software such as
Adobe Photoshop can be used to
enhance impressions

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

21

Known Shoes and Preparation of

Exemplars
Footwear from Suspected Persons:

All footwear a suspect owns should

be seized for comparison

Shoes are needed to make test

impressions

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

25

Known Shoes and Preparation of

Exemplars

Elimination Footwear Footwear worn

by police officers, medical personnel
should be accounted for when
considering impressions left at scene

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

27

Known Shoes and Preparation of

Exemplars

Known Test Impressions of Footwear

Examiner will make impressions of known

footwear and compare them with
suspected footwear impression to insure
matching samples are highly detailed, and
have individual characteristics of shoes

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

28

The Examination Process and

Conclusions
Areas of footwear which are
examined by analyst include:

Design of shoe
Physical Size and Shape
Wear marks
Individual Identifying Characteristicscuts tar, gum etc

Chapter 19

CRC Press: Forensic Science, James

and Nordby, 3rd Edition

30