Course Description
Many criminals are aware of leaving fingerprints at a crime scene and therefore take measures to minimize their risk of doing so. However, they typically don’t consider depositing footwear impressions, thus leaving a wealth of evidence to be discovered. Sadly, footwear impressions are by far the most overlooked, improperly documented, and under-collected types of forensic evidence, even though they may provide direct linkage between the victim, suspect, and/or location. It is well understood that footwear examiners must be well-versed in all aspects of footwear evidence, including detection, documentation, collection, examination, report issuance, and courtroom testimony. Therefore, this hands-on course will provide instruction on the necessary aspects of footwear documentation and collection, detection, , photography, collection preservation of crime scene impressions and how to create known standards. However, this class will spend most of the time examining and comparing footwear evidence. All students will acquire new knowledge, skills, and abilities from this class to better perform their job as a footwear examiner.
Target Audience
This course is appropriate for all forensics professionals involved in the examination of footwear impression evidence, including both novice and experienced examiners. Footwear examiners at all experience levels will benefit from course content covering current issues, research, and other resources to help them stay current in the field. This course is appropriate for any forensic professional who supervises, conducts, or is interested in examining footwear impression evidence. A foundational knowledge of forensic evidence is beneficial prior to attending this course.
Course Logistics
Should be Able to Perform
At the completion of this course, the students should be able to:
- Discuss and understand the significance of footwear evidence
- Discuss and understand the proper use of terminology in footwear examinations
- Discuss and understand the nomenclature of shoes
- Discuss and understand the effects of surface type, substrate, matrix, and the environment on the quality of footwear impressions
- Discuss and understand the proper collection techniques and their impact on the examination process
- Discuss and understand the different types of impressions (2D, 3D, Mirrored, and Negative)
- Discuss and understand the different methods for collecting known standards (2D and 3D)
- Discuss and understand the importance of examination-quality photographs and their impact on the examination process
- Discuss and understand the different types of footwear manufacturing techniques
- Discuss and understand how manufacturing techniques and their impact on the examination process
- Discuss and understand the use of class and individual characteristics during the footwear examination process
- Discuss and understand the use of the ACE-V methodology in the comparison process
- Discuss and understand the difference between variations and distortions
- Discuss and understand the weight given to different characteristics during the examination process
- Discuss and understand the range of conclusions and when it’s appropriate to use them
- Discuss and understand how to arrive at the appropriate conclusion and how not to overstate conclusions
- Discuss and understand the use of automated searching
- Discuss and understand the elements of proper case documentation
- Discuss and understand how to write footwear reports
- Discuss and understand the OSAC Guidelines
- Discuss and understand how to present a footwear comparison and opinions in court.
- Discuss and understand how to prepare for a Daubert hearing
Course Schedule
| Duration | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hour | Introduction / Course Overview | Footwear Comparison Lecture | Footwear Comparison Exercise | On-Screen Comparison Exercises | Documentation, Case Notes, Conclusions, and Report Writing Lecture |
| 1 Hour | Terminology and Crime Scene Approach Lecture | Sufficiency, Class, Wear, and RAC Exercises | Courtroom Presentations Lecture | ||
| 1 Hour | Collection Methods 2-D Impressions Lecture | Footwear Comparison Lecture | Extreme Wear Lecture | Footwear Daubert Prep Lecture | |
| 1 Hour | Collection Methods 3-D Impressions Lecture | Extreme Wear Exercises | IAI Footwear Certification Lecture | ||
| 1 Hour | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1 Hour | Photography of Footwear Impressions Lecture (2D/3D) | Basic Comparison Exercises | Footwear Comparison Class Review | Extreme Wear Exercises | Final Written Exam |
| 1 Hour | Preparation of Footwear Standards Lecture | Basic Comparison Exercises / Basic Comparison Review | Extreme Wear Exercise Review | ||
| 1 Hour | Manufacturing of Footwear Variables Lecture | Make and Model Determination Lecture | Correcting Perspective, Leveling and Image Calibration Lecture and Exercises | Case Review | Final Written Exam Review |
| 1 Hour | Questioned Impressions on Skin Lecture | On-Screen Comparisons Lecture | Closing Remarks |
Must Bring to Class
Students are asked to bring the following:
- Writing instruments of several colors (highlighters or Sharpies)
- Magnifying glass (for comparison exercises)
- Measuring device
- A laptop computer with Adobe Photoshop
These items are not required to attend class but are strongly recommended to enhance the learning experience.
Recommended Reading
- Bodziak, William J. Footwear Impression Evidence: Detection, Recovery, and Examination, 2nd Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, Florida. (2000)
- Bodziak, William J. Forensic Footwear Evidence, 2nd Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, Florida. (2021)
Training Certification and Recertification Credits
The Analysis and Comparison of Footwear Impression Evidence may qualify for specific continuing education training credits. Use's summary below as a quick reference for organization and discipline specific applicability. The approving organization has final authority and their website should be referenced before submitting any request for training credits.
International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Footwear and Tire Track Certification Board Approved for 40 Certification Credits
International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Crime Scene Certification Board Approved for 20 Certification Credits
International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Footwear and Tire Track Certification Board Approved for 40 Re-Certification Credits
International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Crime Scene Certification Board Approved for 20 Re-Certification Credits