1. ASISTM Project Forensic Investigations
Impressions

2. Shoeprints The physical contact between the shoe and the surface
results in a transfer of the individual characteristics of
the shoe.
Shoes prints are often used to prove that suspect was
present at a crime scene.

3. 3-dimensional impressions
Footwear impressions are pressed into a soft surface
such as mud.
The impression is influenced by the weight of the
person and the type of surface.

4. Casting a 3-dimensional impression
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

5. Sports Shoes
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

6. Boots
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

7. Lady’s shoes
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

8. Using Alginate to make an impression
1 - alginate powder
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006
2 - pour the alginate into a plastic bag
3 - about 1/3 of a bag

9. 5 - squish the powder and water
4- add water
5 - squish the powder and water
7 - cut a small hole at a corner of the bag
with scissors
6 - thoroughly mix
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

10. 8 - squeeze out the alginate onto the
impression. Work quickly as alginate dries
very fast.
9 - carefully pat into place
10 - the alginate changes colour when dry -
carefully lift from the impression
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

11. The finished impression
10 - wash away as much dirt as possible
Pict of finished impression - to do
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

12. 2-dimensional impressions
2-dimensional impressions occur when an image of the
print is left on the surface.
Some 2-dimensional impressions are highly visible –
muddy footprints on a cleaned floor – while others
are latent or invisible.

13. 2-dimensional impression: Blood
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

14. Latent 2-dimensional impression: luminol
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

15. Other impressions Casts can be taken of the impressions of
other objects. Eg, tyre tread

16. Tyre tread
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

17. Tyre tread on ground
Photography Paul Ricketts, 2006

18. References
Images
All photography by Paul Ricketts, DUIT Multimedia, the University of Western Australia.
J. Baines is the model for the sequence of photographs showing taking a shoeprint impression using Alginate.
Shoes supplied by J. Dook.
Graphic design of slides by Trevor Hutchison, DUIT Multimedia, the University of Western Australia.