Research Notice
Due to the sensitive nature of criminal/civil investigations, it is often not possible to disclose casework materials. If you are in need of a sample set of crime scene footwear/tire impressions or associated images for research purposes, you may contact the SWGTREAD Research Committee Chair Gary Hauptmann ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). Members of SWGTREAD may be able to assist you in creating a suitable substitute for your research.
DRAFT STANDARD POSTED FOR COMMENT
The following draft standards were posted on 04/07/12 for public comment:
- Standard for Expressing Conclusions for Footwear and Tire Impression Examination
- Standard for Carrying Out a Comparison Method Validation Study
Review the document feedback submission instructions and provide feedback to Matt Johnson prior to the expiration date.
Footwear and Tires
Data Acquisition and Software Development for Footwear & Tire Tread Impressions
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
The intent of this project is to produce software to extract relevant information (individualizing characteristics on the shoe outsole) from a digital image. An individual characteristic can be defined as a feature that has occurred randomly on a footwear outsole or tire tread. Examples of individual characteristics include cuts, scratches, tears, holes, stone holds, and abrasions. The position, orientation, size and shape of individual characteristics contribute to the uniqueness of a shoe outsole or tire tread. Individual characteristics may be used to identify a particular shoe or tire as the source of an impression. Software &/or resulting data should be made available to the practitioner/research community to aid in continued research. It is highly recommended to consult a qualified footwear examiner to confirm individual characteristics.
Variation in Examiners' Conclusions
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Evaluate the diversity, if any, of examiner conclusions for a selected footwear or tire comparison(s).
Topographical Laser Imaging and 3D Scanning of Impression Evidence
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Evaluate the viability of imaging and reproducing a shoe or tire impression in snow or soil without the need for, or in lieu of, traditional casting methods.
Interested parties should review the following article:
National Database for Footwear and Tire Designs
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Develop a national database for both footwear and tire designs. This database would include digital images and specifications for footwear and tire tread designs. The forensic community would greatly benefit from such a database.
Mathematical Probabilities of Individual Characteristics
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Investigate the statistical probabilities of accidental marks occurring in the same positions and orientations on different outsoles and/or tires.
Interested parties should review the following article:
Evaluation of Chemical Enhancement Reagents for Latent Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Evaluate current chemical reagents in use for enhancement. Also, evaluate any newly-developed enhancement reagents for effectiveness as well as determining the proper sequencing for application of these reagents.
Determining Best Practices for Recording 2D Impressions on Human Skin
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Compare and evaluate the various methods that have been developed for photographing and lifting 2D shoe and tire impressions found on human skin.
Detection Techniques for Blunt Force Pattern Injuries
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear and Tires
Explore various methods of detecting and enhancing blunt force pattern injury evidence resulting from outsoles or tires in an effort to develop a best practices methodology with the most current technologies available.