RSS

Shoeprints on Clothing: A New Forensic Science Technique

31 Jan

Dr. Kevin Farrugia and his fellow scientists at the University of Abertay have developed a new technique for imaging latent (invisible) shoeprints left on clothing. The finding of any shoeprint is dependent on many factors, not the least of which is the substrate on which the print is laid down. Glass and other smooth, firm surfaces are best, and coarse surfaces such as carpets are often an insurmountable problem for crime scene investigators. Dr. Farrugia modified existing technology to develop his new technique, which could prove useful in future criminal investigations.

 

shoeprintsre

 

6 responses to “Shoeprints on Clothing: A New Forensic Science Technique

  1. Cheryl B. Dale

    January 31, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Pretty exciting.

    Like

     
  2. Brenda

    January 31, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Thanks for this! I appreciate always learning nifty new things here! Nice to know that this invention will help catch some super-bad guys. Is there a way to tell the age of the print — just in case the victim was a bit of a slob and had left the outfit on the floor sometime and walked on it himself/herself?

    Like

     
    • D.P. Lyle, MD

      January 31, 2013 at 4:54 pm

      Don’t think there is a way to age the prints yet. At least not accurately.

      Like

       
  3. gothrules

    February 3, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    It sounds like finding a killer or other criminal is getting easier and committing crimes without capture is getting more difficult. Awesome.

    Like

     

Leave a comment