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RON SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Tire Track and Tire Impression Evidence Comparison

Course Description

The purpose of this workshop is to teach new and experienced impression evidence examiners how to conduct examinations, comparisons, and searches of tire impressions. This workshop is designed to benefit examiners at all levels of expertise. The practical exercises have been prepared so that each student will work with material at their level of expertise and progress to more difficult assignments as their knowledge and ability grow. The techniques learned in this workshop can be immediatelyapplied to both manual and automated latent palm print searching. The student will learn how to properly photograph and document tire impressions at a scene, how to collect tire standards, how to search for known tires, and how to compare questioned tire impressions to known tires. The student will also learn the manufacturing process for tires and retread tires. 

Should be Able to Perform

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  • Understand and articulate the tire nomenclature.
  • Understand the manufacturing process of tires and how it can be used in tire examinations.
  • Incorporate the use of class characteristics, noise treatment, and randomly acquired characteristics into their Comparison phase of the ACE-V process.
  • Properly evaluate characteristics and reach accurate conclusions during the tire examination process.
Instructor Photo
Jon S. Byrd
MSFS, CLPE, CFWE

Course Logistics

Duration: 5 days
Hours: 40
Tuition: $650.00

Course Schedule

DurationDay 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5
1 HourPhotographing and Casting Tire Impressions (a review for class exercises)Class, Wear, and Identifying Characteristics of TiresPreparation for Examination / Cast CleaningRetread Tires48 Hour Tape
1 HourOutdoor Photography and CastingHistory of TiresRemove TiresCase Presentations / Reviews
1 HourTire ConstructionWork Session with Small CastsSource and Reference Information
1 HourTire Terminology and Basic InformationNoise Treatment
1 HourLunchLunchLunchLunchLunch
1 HourMethods for Producing Known Tire ExemplarsEffects of Deflection on Tire Impression DimensionsWork Session with Large CastsTurning Radius, Track Width, and Wheel BaseVideos / Administrative
1 HourKnown Exemplar Exercises (Outside)Report Conclusions and WritingTrack Measurement Exercise
1 HourIndoor AssignmentsPractical ExercisesPractical Exercises / Replace TiresPractical Exercises
1 Hour

Course Expectations

If the student actively participates and follows the instructor’s directions, it is fully expected that they will be able to properly photograph and cast a questioned tire impression, create known tire standards, and accurately analyze and compare known tires to questioned tire impressions.