A Comparison of Enhancement Techniques for Footwear Impressions on Dark and Patterned Fabrics, |
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| Authors: | Kevin J Farrugia PhD Helen Bandey PhD Lorna Dawson PhD Niamh Nic Daéid PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Centre for Forensic Science, WestCHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, , Glasgow, G1 1XW UK;2. Division of Forensic and Bio Sciences, School of Contemporary Sciences, University of Abertay, , Dundee, DD1 1HG UK;3. Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST, formerly HOSDB), Home Office Science, , Sandridge, St. Albans, AL4 9HQ UK;4. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, , AB15 8QH Scotland, UK |
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| Abstract: | The use of chemical enhancement techniques on porous substrates, such as fabrics, poses several challenges predominantly due to the occurrence of background staining and diffusion as well as visualization difficulties. A range of readily available chemical and lighting techniques were utilized to enhance footwear impressions made in blood, soil, and urine on dark and patterned fabrics. Footwear impressions were all prepared at a set force using a specifically built footwear rig. In most cases, results demonstrated that fluorescent chemical techniques were required for visualization as nonfluorescent techniques provided little or no contrast with the background. Occasionally, this contrast was improved by oblique lighting. Successful results were obtained for the enhancement of footwear impressions in blood; however, the enhancement of footwear impressions in urine and soil on dark and patterned fabrics was much more limited. The results demonstrate that visualization and fluorescent enhancement on porous substrates such as fabrics is possible. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science footwear impression shoeprint enhancement fabric blood urine soil |
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