An easy and simple method to trace and identify footwear impressions

5^th International Conference on Forensic Research & Technology

October 31-November 02, 2016 San Francisco, USA

Shannon D James and Seema Dhir

Fort Valley State University, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

Forensic investigators may encounter crime scenes that have shoeprints deposited on a variety of surfaces. The latent shoe prints are a key piece of evidence that can help find the suspect. Forensic Light Sources (FLS) have been used frequently in crime scene investigations as a scanning tool for crime scene evidence. LED based light sources are low in cost, portable, and easy to use; therefore, suitable for crime scene investigation and also are an excellent educational tool in forensic science classes. The Crime-lite 82L (Foster & Freeman) with white light (400-700 nm) is a high intensity FLS that provides a wide linear beam that is ideal for detecting surface debris in shoe prints in dust. During this research, we tested eight different surfaces - non-painted drywall, painted drywall, laminate flooring, linoleum, concrete, glass, wooden surface and slate and four different filters (red, green, blue, and yellow) mounted onto the white light to enhance contrast for floor residues while tracing footwear impressions. A large shoe print database (FPX; Foster & Freeman) was used to identify the make and model of over 190 shoe impressions successfully by tallying their discriminating features.

Biography :

Email: dhirs@fvsu.edu