The Value of Footprint or Footwear Evidence Free Essay Example, 1750 words

The first responding officer marks off the crime scene large enough using crime-scene barricade tape until the arrival of the crime scene investigator. Where weather might affect the footwear evidence, he or she may place cones or boxes over the impressions until the crime scene investigator arrives. On arriving at the crime scene, the crime scene investigator should conduct a search on the secured area thoroughly and systematically. He should carefully photograph and document with regard to the exact position of each footwear impression and its surroundings a procedure that should precede the performance of any other search. On locating footwear impressions and marking them as to their location, the crime scene investigator should then complete the processes of photographing, casting and collecting. Prints and impressions are the two forms in which footwear evidence occurs in almost all crime scenes. Although the recording techniques in such evidence may vary, the search is essent ially similar. The investigator should always use a systematic searching method he or she should never blind search the scene of the crime. While photographing, the investigator should give priority to footwear evidence located outdoors to ensure that it is not destroyed while he or she is inside. We will write a custom essay sample on The Value of Footprint or Footwear Evidence or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now To locate footwear impressions, the crime scene investigator, at an oblique angle, casts a strong white light with a directional beam (a forensic light source) over the surface. On locating the impressions, the process of collection and recovery starts. The investigator should photograph, document, lift and/or cast all impressions (Hilderbrand, 2009). Casting recovers larger impressions that are three-dimensional including footprints that perpetrators may have left in mud, blood, dust, oils among others. During the casting process, the investigator pours a substance into the impression, hardens it and then removes it thereby yielding a cast of the impression on the ground. Although investigators use a variety of products in the creation of casts, the best casting material is dental stone owing to its accuracy, ease of use and strength.