Footprints, Tireprints, and Earprints

Footprints

-are first photographed then a cast is made

-If the print is in a medium that may not hold its form (mud, snow) then Snow Print Max, a waxy substance, may be sprayed on the impression to "hold" the imprint in place while the cast is made

Electrostatic lifting

-If a shoeprint is made from dirt, paint, oil (etc) on a solid medium and needs to be lifted, electrostatic charges are used to lift the print

-Electrostatic lifting uses electric charges to transfer dirt, dust, and oil particles onto an electromagnetic film

Footprint Analysis

-Digital print databases for types of shoes

-Class evidence

-Size of shoe is proportional to the height of the person

-Prints also reveal if any wear or damage was done to the shoe

-This can help match the prints to a specific shoe

-Footprints can belong to humans or animals

Tire Prints

-Tire and thread marks are photographed, lifted, and analyzed in a similar fashion as foot prints

-Tire and thread marks are analyzed like footprints

-Each company creates their own thread pattern

Tire prints continued

-Underneath the rubber of the tires there is different hardware

-Different steel structures give tires their shape

-Each tire's inner workings are different, which affect its performance and wear

Ear prints

-Ear prints can be used to link a suspect to a crime

-Common in home invasions

-Someone leans up against a door to hear if victims are home or asleep

-Common in phone robberies