How do you take foot prints? – Forensic Science Zone

Question: How do you take foot prints?
- Keywords:
  anaylse,
  evidence,
  examine,
  finger,
  foot,
  footprint,
  print,
  take
Asked by rocket to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 18 Mar 2011 in Categories: Forensics.
- Mark Hill answered on 18 Mar 2011:
  
  Hi Rocket,
  
  Another good question.
  
  Foot prints and tyre prints can be equally as unique, with their wear marks and damage patterns.
  
  Firstly we need to consider what surface the print is on. The treatment of hard surface prints is completely different from soft substrates, like mud, but the same main rule applies:- always use non-destructive recording methods first. Marks shoukd always be photographed, with a scale bar in the shot, beforehand. Photos should initially be ‘in context’, in relation to other identifying items around. For example, on a road, with tyre prints on the verge, photos should show the broader scene, working in toward the mark and then of detail of the mark. A casting is usually the best method for a ‘wet’ mark,by setting a frame around the mark and using either a plaster or a resin, such as ‘Isofix’, to cast the mark.
  
  For a mark on a hard surface several methods may be used. Photography first, then lifting techniques next.
  
  If the mark cannot be photographed clearly, then I may use a very fine metal flake, or dark oxide powder and a fine brush, synthetic (such as a Zephyr). In a very gentle manner I will lightly develop the mark, barely touching it, but such that the powder sticks to the dirt and substances that make up the print. Once this is developed, I can then hopefully photograph it and lift it, with a clear sticky tape, onto a piece of Cobex (stiff clear plastic).
  
  Sometimes marks, especially shoe marks, can be lifted with a black coloured gelatine sheet, which will lift the very fine marks of a print, including damage marks on the soles of worn and old shoes. These marks can be as conclusive in evidence as fingerprints.
  
  Another technique that I can use is with an electronic device and a sheet of paper with an electrostatically charged coating. The device is known for short as ESLA, but stands for electrostatic lifting apparatus. This causes the film to ‘lift’ a very accurate copy of the mark, for later comparison against detailed catalogues of shoe sole patterns.
  
  I hope that this helps. Sometimes these techniques do appear on CSI and other such programs.
  
  Thanks for the question.
  
  Mark.
- Jamie Pringle answered on 18 Mar 2011:
  
  Hello rocket
  
  A good question and one I dont know the answer to sadly. Happily Mark has given you a comprehensive answer.
- Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 18 Mar 2011:
  
  Hi Rocket
  
  First ting is that footprints mean the marks made by your naked feet (also called plantar impressions) where as footwear marks or shoeprints are marks that are made by shoes when you walk on a surface. they can be three dimension (if you walk on something silk soil or snow and the mark has depth) of two dimensional , where you walk on a flat surface like a solid floor.
  
  The type of surface that the mark is on will to some degree provide a guidance on how to visualise the mark and recover the image and Mark has explained some of the techniques in his answer. You can also use chemical enhancement techniques which can be used to react with any contaminants on the footwear like blood or mud (see the picture on my profile page which is an enhanced image made in blood)

Question: How do you take foot prints?

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