What is footwear impression evidence?

Footwear impression marks – the mark made by the outside surface of the sole of a shoe (the outsole) – are distinctive patterns often found at crime scenes. They are among the most commonly found evidence at crime scenes and present more frequently than fingerprints. Footwear marks provide valuable forensic evidence.

How the foot mark impressions are recorded?

Footwear impressions can be detected with a variety of methods including: Visually using natural or artificial lighting. Using artificial light sources to provide oblique, coaxial, and polarized light for detection of visible and latent impressions. Using electrostatic lifting devices to lift dusty impressions.

What are the two major reasons footwear impression evidence is often overlooked?

Footwear impressions are overlooked for two important reasons, The lack of training and education in the proper searching, collection and preservation of the evidence and; The evidence is undervalued or not understood.

Are shoe impressions Class evidence?

Crime Scene Footwear Evidence Footwear evidence can be found in two forms, impressions and prints. It is class evidence most of the time because without two fitting glass fragments, the glass can be identified but not linked to a specific object.

How does the FBI use footwear impression evidence?

Footwear impression evidence left behind at crime scenes may provide valuable investigative information even when suspects have not been apprehended yet. The FBI Laboratory maintains a footwear database that is a computerized reference collection of more than 14,000 shoe outsoles from hundreds of different footwear manufacturers.

What are the characteristics of footwear impression evidence?

The process of examining footwear impression evidence takes into account class and identifying characteristics. Class characteristics are those characteristics that result from the manufacturing process, such as physical size, design, and mold characteristics.

How is the forensic analysis of footwear evidence done?

Many police departments and crime laboratories throughout the United States use similar computerized footwear databases. Examiners search questioned footwear impressions through these databases to determine the brand and/or model name of the footwear that left an impression at the crime scene.

How to establish a link between crime scene impressions and footwear?

Establish link between crime scene impression with a specific piece of footwear: Comparison of crime scene impressions with a specific piece of footwear recovered from a suspect can determine if there is any relationship. A worn piece of footwear will gradually acquire unique wear and tear on the outsoles.