NCJ Number
218299
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 42,44,51
Date Published
April 2007
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the rich evidence provided by analyzing crime scene footprints using an actual crime scene as an example.
Abstract
The author notes that crimes are chaotic events that occur in a three-dimensional space but must be recreated by crime scene investigators using evidence found on two-dimensional surfaces, such as walls, floors, and ceilings. Footprints can provide a wealth of information about the order of events of the crime, the relative position of the people involved, the height of the individuals, and characteristics about the particular shoes worn by the individuals. The article describes how to investigate footprints found on different surfaces, such as footprints found on hard-packed dirt versus those found on grass or forest vegetation, and discusses how different environmental conditions affect footprints, such as gravity, wind, rain, snow, and sun. Due to the complexities involved in tracking and properly investigating footprint evidence, particularly when multiple footnotes are involved, training and experience in a variety of environments are essential for the development of competency in the field. The article opens with a description of an actual crime scene in which footprint evidence was central to identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator. Throughout the article, footprint investigators share their experiences analyzing footprint evidence. A textbox offers information on Web sites with tracking schools and footprint information. Figures