The book begins with a brief overview of crime scene investigation procedures and then presents detailed steps for reproducing footwear impressions which are particular to the type of surface on which the impressions lie. Three-dimensional impressions, found in mud, clay, snow, and similar surfaces, call for casts. Instructions are given for dental stone, sulphur, paraffin wax, and silicone rubber casting. Methods are also detailed for lifting prints from two-dimensional impressions (made on floors, doors, glass, etc.), including photography, carbon paper lift, iodine fuming, silver nitrate process, and the static electricity lift. In addition, the book examines footwear manufacturing and materials, explaining that an understanding of these processes is basic to footwear identification. Next, class characteristics of footwear (size, shape, style, and pattern design) and accidental characteristics (cuts, tears, nail patterns, and other marks in soles and heels) are examined in relation to the impression as evidence in a criminal trial. Uses of footwear impressions in determining the possible age, sex, height, and weight of suspects are considered, and the ways in which a suspect's shoes can be obtained for evidence and linked to footwear impressions and to suspects are discussed. Finally, the book describes the footwear specialist's role in court, effective ways of presenting footwear evidence, and special aids for augmenting the specialist's testimony. Appendixes contain lists of materials needed for different types of casting and photographs illustrating identification possibilities in footwear impressions. A bibliography of about 45 references and an index are provided.
Footwear Identification
NCJ Number
77842
Date Published
1980
Length
182 pages
Annotation
Footwear evidence and identification is described within the context of criminal investigation. Guidelines are given for reproducing footwear impressions, identifying footwear evidence, and presenting such evidence in court.
Abstract