NCJ Number
210511
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2005 Pages: 489-498
Date Published
July 2005
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper describes how the dimensions of a footprint can be calculated much faster and with greater accuracy than with previous manual methods by using the general-purpose desktop publishing software Adobe Pagemaker.
Abstract
Adobe Pagemaker can handle images and has measurement tools for measuring length, breadth, and angles. This software can also be used for two-dimensional footprint calculations. The footprint is scanned in at actual size and is imported into the software with the "place" command from the file menu. Various geometrical constructions are drawn on the footprint by using the respective object from the "tool box." The authors describe the mechanics of using each of the following geometric tools: straight line/slanting line tools, the rectangle/square tool, and the ellipse/circle tool. The use of the software to superimpose two footprints for comparison is also described. Various measurements of two-dimensional footprints (foot length, ball width, intertoe separation, angles subtended by the center of the toes to the axis, etc.) can be calculated faster and more accurately with appropriate computer software than with the tools of manual measurement (ruler, protractor, etc.). Although not tested in the current study, other software similar to Adobe Pagemaker, such as QuarkXpress and CorelDraw, can also be used to calculate and compare footprint dimensions. 10 figures and 7 references