As I began to do my research and retrieve information about the science of footwear, it became very apparent that there is very little written. I was able to locate three major books (two of which were out of print, but have now been reprinted), numerous articles and short chapters in other books about footwear evidence. It was astonishing to see how many books on crime scene investigation and physical evidence were on the market, and yet within these books was very little on forensic footwear. No wonder this is an overlooked and misunderstood science.
Footwear evidence has been overlooked for two major reasons 1) the lack of training and education in the proper search, collection and preservation methods, and 2) the evidence is undervalued or misunderstood. With the proper education in footwear evidence, both of these concerns can be overcome. This type of evidence has great evidentiary value when collected and preserved in the correct manner. Footwear evidence can reveal the type of shoe, the make, description, and, in some cases, approximate or precise size. When a crime scene is searched and documented in the correct manner, footwear evidence can also provide or assist in determining the number of suspects, their path, their involvement, and the events that occurred during the crime.
The learning methods used in this handbook center around two major concepts: 1) To provide the reader with proper training and education in footwear impression evidence, and 2) To provide well thought out reasons and answers to a forensic science that is undervalued or misunderstood by many law enforcement people. This handbook will teach the crime scene investigator to recognize, collect, and preserve footwear evidence in a manner that the footwear examiners can work. This is done with limited, but necessary equipment.
Crime Scene Investigator should be willing to devote his time and effort in proper collection and preservation and take on the challenge of difficult impressions with a new outlook and a much higher confidence level, thus resulting in more quality footwear evidence that the footwear examiner can identify. Secondly, the crime scene investigator should become more time efficient in his collection and recovery methods.
A friend of mine once said, "you become an expert in your field when you take the initiative with a subject you enjoy, learn it and study its art, conduct independent research in that field and then share it with others. If you do this, and do it because of the science, and not because someone said so, you will have reached a pinnacle of professionalism that is second to none. Learn to become your students' student." (Timothy Hahn, 1994)
The author wishes good luck on your journey in this fascinating and zestful science.
Dwane presently performs examinations in latent prints, footwear and tire track and the identification of deceased persons. He has been a footwear/tire tread examiner since 1987. He teaches level one and two courses in Evidence Technology and Criminalistics at Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has spoken to the Arizona Identification Council, the International Association for Identification, the New Jersey IAI Division, the Phoenix Police Academy, and other state association meetings, as well as at the International European Footwear/Tool Mark Examiners Conference in Vantaa, Finland. He presently travels, teaching the forensic aspects of footwear impression evidence to other law enforcement agencies. Other than being the author of this handbook, Footwear, the Missed Evidence, he is one of the co-authors of the Crime Scene Manual presently used by the Scottsdale Police Department. He has written and published numerous articles on footwear impression evidence and latent prints in various forensic journals.
Dwane has served in the positions of President, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents, Editor, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Arizona State chapter of the International Association for Identification (IAI). He has also served on the Arizona Identification Council's Forensic Science Committee and Latent Print Certification Board for the State of Arizona.
Dwane was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Association for Identification in 1994. He has served on the International Footwear/Tire Track Sub-Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the feasibility study group for instructor certification. Dwane was also appointed to the National Disaster Medical Team in 1994. Dwane is presently employed by the Scottsdale Police Department's Crime Laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and complete.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Footwear: The Missed Evidence--A Field Guide to the Collection and Preservation of Forensic Footwear Impression Evidence (Spiral-bound)
I didn't realize the intensity of this line of investigation. Step by step procedure led to very interesting discoveries. Would suggest this to anyone in law enforcement.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a necessity that detective work has long needed,
By A Customer
This review is from: Footwear: The Missed Evidence--A Field Guide to the Collection and Preservation of Forensic Footwear Impression Evidence (Spiral-bound)
A concise, user-friendly, step-by-step guide geared to perfecting the securing of crime scenes. Detective work has long needed such a helpful guide.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Footwear: The Missed Evidence--A Field Guide to the Collection and Preservation of Forensic Footwear Impression Evidence (Spiral-bound)
A very comprehensive, easy to follow book. I found it not only interesting but extremely applicable!
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