Mount Bierstadt Study: An Experiment in Unique Damage Formation in Footwear

• NCJ Number: 217623
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 57 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2007 Pages: 199-205
• Author(s): T. W. Adair; J. Lemay; A. McDonald; R. Shaw; R. Tewes
• Date Published: March 2007
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Through the elimination of several variables contributing to the formation of accidental marks found on footwear, this study sought to demonstrate that accidental damage found on footwear outsoles was randomly produced.

Abstract

The results of this study demonstrated the widely accepted proposition that the accidental damage found on footwear outsoles was randomly produced. The study attempted to eliminate as many variables contributing to the formation of these accidental marks as possible. By using the same style of boots, in the same new condition, the same walking path, the same environmental conditions, and the same duration of use, the authors were able to eliminate all major contributing factors to the formation of these marks. The results also indicate that these accidental marks may be created by a single walking event, representing one of many changes occurring in the evolution of the damage and wear represented on the outsole. Additional studies are recommended. The use of random damage characteristics has been reliably used in the comparison of known outsoles to questioned impressions found at crime scenes. These damage characteristics are formed through the use of the shoes while they are worn. The presence of these characteristics allows the footwear examiner to individualize one shoe as having made an impression. This study hypothesized that these characteristics could be created during a single common activity and that the characteristics would exist in sufficient numbers to individualize the shoes. This study sought to answer the following questions: (1) would random characteristics be created in sufficient numbers to allow for individualization; (2) would these random characteristics share any common location or orientation with other characteristics found on outsoles; and (3) would two pairs of shoes worn by the same individual under the same physical characteristics exhibit accidental characteristics allowing for individualization? Figures, references