Tires
and shoes come in a wide variety of treads and sizes. Through
continued use, distinctive wear patterns develop. A forensic scientist
can observe the unique and distinguishing clues and make inferences
about the participants and the nature of the activity.
We
can observe a tire track or shoe print and infer the type, size and
make. We can also infer the age of the tire or at least how worn it
may be.
We
can observe a set of footprints, and infer the direction and speed of
travel. Parts of a shoe print made while running should be deeper than
a print make while walking. The
walking print should be clearer and more uniform.
Depending on the running style of the suspect, there may be
only deep toe marks from pushing off or deep heel marks from landing.
The length of stride increases with speed.
The farther apart successive prints are, the greater the speed.
Shoe
prints can be categorized in a number of ways, heels, visible treads,
wide treads, narrow treads, size of shoe print, pointed toe, rounded
toe, etc.
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