CSI: Buena Forensic Footwear Evidence
Feb 25, 2016
CSI: BuenaForensic Footwear Evidence
Forensic Footwear Evidence
Helps prove identities of suspects Most common evidence Gives information about suspects (print
analysis) Can be as specific as a fingerprint
Footwear EvidenceForensic Footwear Evidence comes in at least
three forms: Footwear outsole impressions (Shoeprint)
Footwear insole impressions (Inside shoe)
Footwear trace evidence
Footwear Outsole Evidence
FootprintImpressions left on an object that was caused by contact with a piece of footwear.
GroundDoorsWallsOther peopleLatent Impressions
Footwear Insole Impressions and
Footwear Trace EvidenceInsole Impressions – inside shoeImprints left inside of footwear caused by
contact from the person’s foot. This evidence is usually used to link a person to footwear.
Footwear Trace EvidenceTrace evidence removed from footwear. (ie, skin, glass fragments, body hair, fibers, etc)
Examination of footwearFootwear impression can be used by
examiners to obtain the following information: Footwear
manufacturer (Nike, Adidas, New Balance) model (Air Jordan) size (7, 9, 11)
Approximate height and weight of wearer
What the person was doing when print was made
Did you know?
The Unabomber was known to keep shoes with smaller soles attached to confuse investigators
A person’s shoe size is approximately 15% of their height.
3 different databases: SICAR, FIT, FSS
Test impressions made with a
suspect’s shoes.