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

Photo of a

suspect’sshoe

Test impressions made with a

suspect’s shoes.