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
Shoe Uniqueness from Shared Activities
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear
Determine if footwear exposed to the same conditions will exhibit random accidental characteristics allowing for differentiation among the test population.
Random Placement Shape and/or Placement of Accidental Marks
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear
The purpose of this project is to test the appearance and random placement of accidental damage artifacts to the outsole material. Confirmation Bias in Footwear Examinations The purpose of this study is to examine the possibility of confirmation bias among examiners.
Imaging Scanner Pad for Recording Known Footwear
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear
Develop a durable, lightweight scanning pad (or other capture device) to quickly and easily obtain high-resolution scans of footwear outsoles from arrestees in a booking setting or other subjects in a laboratory setting.
Frequency of Style, Size, Design, and Uniqueness in Footwear
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear
Collect and analyze test impressions of footwear from contributing law enforcement agencies (and other sources) to determine frequencies of style, size, wear, and accidental marks within the total population. This project is intended to be a long-term project.
Footwear Uniqueness in Controlled Environments
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear
Examine a large number of shoes worn by people in a controlled environment (e.g., military/law enforcement recruit classes and prison inmates) to determine if all the outsoles can be differentiated based on an analysis of the accidental characteristics.
Association of the Footwear with the Wearer
- Parent Category: Recommendations for Research
- Category: Footwear
Explore various methods available to associate footwear with the wearer of the shoe and determine the reliability of each method.