British Footprint Database to Help Catch Criminals

A new database being launched by Britain on Feb. 15 will compile footwear prints and marks from crime scenes and information from shoe manufacturers to help police. Footwear marks are the second biggest evidence type behind blood and DNA, according to Dr. Romelle Piercy of the Forensic Science Service in London.

Footprints can be found nearly everywhere at a crime scene, from on a body or carpet to within earth or mud, and are very unique to each individual person.

The Footwear Intelligence Tool will include data on shoe type, color, branding, marks, and demographic information.

The database is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) from Reuters (01/29/07); Reany, Patricia.