Impressions Evidence Activity

Casting Shoe Impressions Materials: shoe box partially filled with soil, a can of aerosol hair spray with a lacquer base (spraying the lacquer carefully over the impression will harden it) and varying shoe styles & sizes. Using the instructions from the book and class notes; create 6-8 shoe impressions (Use different shoe sizes and shoe types. Then chart the (class & Individual) characteristics that would be identified by a forensic scientists for each impression.

Tire Impressions Document (using photography) 6-8 tire mark impressions from various locations in your school, neighborhood or community. Then chart the (class and/or Individual) characteristics that would be identified by a forensic scientists for each impression.

Bite Marks (Part 1) MATERIALS: Small Styrofoam plates, Permanent Markers, Rulers, Assortment of soft candies (airheads, orange slices, Laffy Taffy, gum etc.) Bend the plate in half so that the top of the plate is on the inside. They label one half with "maxilla" and one half with "mandible”. Put the folded plate into mouth and bite down on it to make a good impression. DO NOT break through the plate. Unbend the plate and use a ruler to make the required measurements for width and depth of the impressions on both jaws. Note any unique class and/or individual characteristics, such as slanted teeth, spaces, evidence of braces.

Bite Marks (Part 2) Gently bite into each piece of candy or gum in order to make an impression, but not too hard to bite it in half. Record a rating for the quality of the impression (poor, fair, good) along with observations, such as candy sticking to teeth or whether or not it was too hard/soft to make a good impression. Repeat for a total of 6-8 impressions.