Taking Steps to a Suspect

 For years, fingerprints have been used to determine identity.  Recently, footprints have been discovered to be an equally reliable identifier.  Every person's foot has a unique set of ridges that make up a print unmatched by any other human being.

 Most often, the prints at a crime scene do not come from a bare foot

 To compensate, scientists have created methods of identifying shoe prints.  The indentations on the ground made by any shoe can be studied, recorded, and matched to prints found at other locations.

 Investigators can take photographs of visible prints  They can uncover latent prints and then photograph them  They can make a casting of plastic prints (3 dimensional prints found in soil, etc) by pouring a dense liquid into the imprint  After it solidifies, the casting can be picked up as one piece so that an exact replica will be available for future reference.

 Height can be estimated based on shoe size.  The depth of the print, based on soil type, can help determine weight.  The footprint can be linked to a particular kind of shoe by comparison with a footwear database.  Individuals also wear down their shoes in a certain way, depending upon their gait.

 Footprints may indicate direction, speed, number, sex, and whether the individual knows he is being tracked.  Long strides and deep prints with toe prints deeper than heel prints indicate running.  Prints that are deep, short, and widely spaced, with signs of scuffing indicate the person is carrying a heavy load.  Persons walking backward have a short, irregular stride. The prints have an unnaturally deep toe, and soil is displaced in the direction of movement.  Women tend to be pigeon-toed, while men walk with their feet straight ahead or pointed slightly to the outside.  Prints left by women are usually smaller and the stride is usually shorter than prints left by men.

 Footprints are vulnerable evidence early in an investigation  Why?