CHAPTER 6

FOOTPRINTS
SYNOPSIS
1. Introduction 79
2. Nature of Footprints ... 80
3. Location of Footprints 80
4. Prescrvation of lFootprints 80

5. Collcction of Footprints. 81

(a) Photography ... 81

(b) Tracing 82
(c) Lifling: .... eeeeeseeegs#eateeeeees#
82
(d) Casting. 83
84
6. Collection of Comparison Print
7. Identification Characteristics 85

f Khoji System of ldentification...

'9. Shoe Prints 87
10. Gait Pattern (Walking Picture). 87
11. Other Deductions from Walking Pattern 89

1. Introduction
Footprint is a general term used for bare footprint or impression and
shoeprint or impression. The examination of footprints as an aid to
identification is an art as old as civilization. Footprints oflen afford good
clues particularly in India, where the majority of the people still go about
bare-footed. They may be caused by bare foot, or may be left by footwear.
In the latter case they are known as footwear prints.
The footprints and shocprints may cstablish the presence of the
culprit at the scene of crime. The value of such evidence will however,
be proportionate to the points ofidentification, which can be demonstrated.
The general form and measurement may not be of much use. It is the
characteristics that are unique in shape and detail, which must be looked
for and studied.
If the bare footprints leave details of the planter surface then
identification by ridge details can be positive and definite. But most of
79
 Inves
Forensic Science in Crime
80
the ridge details will
not
incomplete and be very
the footprints will be well-worn sh0es may provida
hand shoeprints from
clear. On the other cases it is necessary
to establish the
But in such
a definite opinion.
ownership of the footwear.
2. Nature of Footprints following circumstances:
produced under the
Footprints are
the foot may be cassed in mud, dust, sand
of
(a) The impressions substances. impressions will be depressed
Such
and snow or like and referred to as sunken foot
type
or three-dimensional
impressions. likedust.
is produced by deposition of material
(b) If the footprint substances, etc., on smooth
coloured powdery
dirt, oil, blood, two dimensional print, it is
surface, giving rise to a
and hard are generally found indoors.
known as surface footprint. They
produced by lifting dust or liquid material
(c) Footprint may also be will be left on the surface.
negative print
in which case a
3. Location of Footprints
searched:
Following places should be carefully
(a) At the scene of crime,
(b) Around the place of occurrence,
time of ingress
(c) Along the route taken by the culprit, both at the
and egre
(d) At the places whete the culprits gathered together for planning
before action and for sharing the booty,
(e) Besides the above, footprints may be found in the fields,
courtyards, floors of rooms, walls, staircase, roofs, tables and
chairs, papers, boxes, drain pipes etc.,
() If the culprit has visited a garage, he is likely to leave prints on
the greasy surface of the garage floor,
(g) If the culprit gets his foot or footwear smeared in blood he is
likely to leave prints in blood.
4. Preservation of Footprints
It should always be remembered that the chances of footprints being
damaged are greater than any other traces left behind by the criminal.
 Footprints
Wind, rain, carthworms, ants, etc. may obliterate or
Curious onlookers may unconsciously trample on damage the fotprints
the footprints or may
leave their own footprints to make detection
difficult. Criminals or their
associates may attempt to destroy the footprint
investigator himself or his assistant may destroy evidence. Besides, the
footprints by careless
recording, preservation and rough handling. It is, therefore,
ensure proper preservation of footprint evidence. The important to
should be followed: following instructions
(a) If the footprints are on easily removable
articles, these should
be taken into custody after noting the details
the name of the police station, the like, case number,
signature of investigating
officer and the signature of the witnesses.
(b) If the prints are inside the room and they cannot be
immediately
removed or recorded, then the room should be locked, If this is
not possible, the place or places containing the footprints should
be covered with pots, cardboard boxes, waste baskets or any
other suitable objects.
(c) If the prints are in open places, where persons ignorant of the
Occurrence generally come and go, it may be necessary to post
a guard, besides covering the prints.
(d) Footprints on the walls should be covered with paper.
(e) All possible precaution should be taken to save the prints from
being washed by rain or attacked by ants, carthworms and other
insects.

5. Collection of Footprints
The following methods are commonly used for collecting footprints:
(a) Photography: Generally, allprints and impressions should be
photographed before attempting any other method, because of the risk of
an accident while using other methods of recording. Thus photographs
Ken of both surface prints and sunken impressions. While taking
aphotograph one should:
(i) Keep the lens of the camera parallel to the surface on which the
print is found. This will avoid false perspective.
(ii) Set the shutter at the smallest permissible f-stop in order toobtain
the greatest depth of field.
FS-6
 Forensic Science in
82
even in sunlight sothat the details are
be used
(ii) Aflash should
clearly defined.
of the print, so that the proper scala
the length
(iv) Place a ruler along can be determined.
photograph
of the case number, signatures Of
Identification details, such as date, Written on a piece
(v) may be
and witnesses,
the investigator
nearby the print.
paper and placed of
crudest but the easiest way of recording
Tracing is the
(b)Tracing: celluloid sheet and a glass marking pencil
footprint. The
surface footprints. Aglass or outlines of the
oil-based pen is used for tracing the
or an be followed:
following procedure should should be kept over the
or celluloid sheet
(i) The sheet of glass possible, but taking care that it does not
footprint, as close as
actually touch it.
complete.
should not move until the tracing is
(ii) The sheet
lines should be drawn as thin as possible.
(i1i) The
foot of which the tracing is to be made, the tip
(iv) The part of the
eye should be in a line to avoid distortion.
of the pen and the
outline of the different parts of the footprint should
(v) The clear The faint and doubtful outline
be shown in thincontinuous. lines.
lines.
may be shown with dotted
(c) Lifting:
(i) Photo bromide paper Surface foot prints can be lifted if the
dusty print
prints are caused by deposition of dust material. If the
is white or light in colour, a black photo bromide paper is used.
The black paper is obtained by exposing the paper to light and
then developed and fixed. Soaking for a few minutes in water
moistens the fixed paper; the excess water is removed from the
film by drying. The emulsion side will attain a tacky surface.
It is placed over the print and pressed uniformly. The dusty print
gets attached to the gelatin surface. If the print is of black dust,
then photo bromide paper is fixed without exposing to light, and
the print lifted as above. If transparent lifters of adequate size
are available, that should be used to lift the prints like lifting
fingerprints.
 Footprints 83
(i) Static electricity lift - Often dust or dirt on
shoes or bare feet
leave surtace prints on rugs, mat, cloth, etc.
or texture the prints are not visible. The
Because of colour
Japanese Police have
developed a technique of lifting such prints using black vinyl
plastic charged witha igh veltage. The static charge generated
after discharging the initial high voltage, attracts dust particles
giving rise to negative print.
(d) Casting: casting can lift sunken foot impressions. Casts can be
made with plaster - of - Paris, wax, resin, sulphur and various other
materials. Experience has shown that the plaster - of - Paris method is
simplest and the best. The plaster cast is lifted in the following manner:
Selection of impression
If a series of foot impressions are available, select a moderately
sunken foot impression, as it would be free from distortion.
Preparation of surface
Extraneous matters such as, grass, twigs, stones fallen after the
impression is caused, should be removed without disturbing the impression.
Mount a metallic or wooden frame around the impression to prevent
the liquid plaster from escaping.
If the impression is in soft dust or sand, then athin layer of shellac
dissolved in alcohol is spread on the surface bymeans of a sprayer. This
layer will protect the details on the surface, which otherwise may get
deformed due to the weight of the plaster. The shellac is carefully sprayed
from a distance so that the air pressure will not disturb the detail of the
impression. After several minutes the shellac will have hardened, leaving
a thin film on the surface.

Athin layer of talcum powder or mineral oil issprinkled on the layer

of shellac, which will permit the peeling of the shellac without affecting
the cast.
Preparation of plaster
Take a container partially filled with water. Pour slowly the plaster
of-Paris into water until water can no longer absorb any more of the
powder. Seven parts ofplaster to four parts water is asatisfactory mixture.
The plaster is then mixed by hand until there are no lumps present, and
athick creamy consistency of mixture is obtained.
 Crime Investigation
Forensic Sclence in
84

Pouring ofplaster .
into the impression. A spoon should be
Pourthemixture gently and to spread the plaster evenly.
the mixture from a low level
to pour
prevented.
Air bubbles should be
plaster is almost one halfinch thick, place on it
When the layer of patternto reinforce the cast. Athin
crisS-cross
small twigs or sticks in a place of sticks. A second layer of plaster
wiremesh could also be used in
follow this until the cast is about one inch thick The
mixture should
is allowed to set for fifteen minutes. The setting of the cast is
plaster felt by touching the
the rise in its temperature that can be
indicated by
cast surface.
half teaspoon_full
In order to hasten the process of hardening one
of common salt may be addedtothe water before adding plaster,
whereas.
if sugar or borax is added to the mixture, the setting time gets retarded.
For identification, the cast surface should be marked with the details
such as, date, police station, case number, location and signature of
investigating officer and witnesses.
Removal and cleaning
Tolift the cast, dig away the surrounding earth, remove the retaining
frame gently, slip fingersunder the cast, and push it slowly upwardsuntil
it is free. Wash the cast under a running tap, or
by pouring water over
it, to remove the adhering earth. Do not rub or
scratch the
woulddestroy finer details of the print. A clear cast will surtace, as that
thus be obtained.
Sometimes, to record finer details, a thin mixture of
will be required. This, however, will require much plaster of Paris
6. Collection of longer setting time.
Comparison Print
It is always better to
comparison print made on
compare crime scene footprints with the
to walk on the soft the Similar surface. The suspect should be
earth to leave asunken made
described above should be obtained.
then transferring the impression and a cast as
inked Inking the foot of the suspect and
for
comparison. In impression on a
to get a true idea ofpaper obtain surface prints
of the feet, four to order
five different prints are the formation of the sole
(i)Normal standing position, taken in different manner:
(ii) Standing position with
pressure on the inner side,
 Footprints
(iii) Standing position with pressure on the outer side,
(iv) When walking, and
(v) When jumping.
1. Identification Characteristics
Itis well established that every footprint has an individuality, which
cannot be duplicated. The individuality in a given print is established by
studying the following characteristics:
(a) Dimension: The dimension cannot be given too much significance.
Nevertheless, it should be noted. If the dimensions vary to aconsiderable
extent, then it can be deduced that the suspect could not have left the
questioned print.
(b) General Shape: The shape of the foot may have remarkable
variations. It may be normal, flat, club shaped, bow shaped, broken bridg
or abnormal.
(c) Pattern: Sometimes ridge patterns may be noticed on the prints
and impressions. Their study may reveal identifying characteristics.
(d) Margins: Sometimes margin of the bare footprints are highly
characteristic. The margins consist of the outline of the heel and the inner
and the outer boundary line of the foot. The heel mnay be oval or round;
the outer margin may be straight, bulging outward or inward.
(e) Toe marks: The shapes and sizes of the toes, their inter spaces
extra
and alignment vary greatly. Long and short toes, missing toes, an
toe etc. may be highly characteristic.
position of
) Crease, phalange, cut marks etc.: The shape, size,
characteristic.
the phalanges of the toes, crease marks or cuts may be highly
8. Khoji System of Identification
Rajasthan,
There exists a tribe known as Khoji, dwelling in parts of footprints
Gujarat and Punjab, whose hereditary profession is to study the
Even today, their services
of the persons and the marks left by animals.
animals. These trackers
are utilised by the police to track culprits or stolen
fresh one or a few hours
Can tellwhether the footprint of the animal is a
few months old. The Khoji's
old or, for that matter even a few days or terms used
parts of the foot. The
Used different terms to describe various
by them are described in the figure (Fig.11)
86

DUSN
(sn

T ANGUTMA
(hnd (Oigtee)
CHOWui

(uIk tee )

PAO
DERH REK
(Grease nnart

loa-KALI JAEGHA
(Ho low Poien)
TALLI
(netep)

BARI-A6SI
(lmu morgan
1he toot)

ERI
(weal)

Fig. 11 Foot and its Parts

9. Shoe Prints
Footprints (87

Shoe prints are seldom found

sole of the shoe is
when the surface is
wet with some
liquid like
hard unless the
powdery substance like dust, flour, etc. Shoe blood or carries some
on dust, mud, sand, etc.
They should not impressions
be
are clearly seen
sometimes give useful
clues. The soles give an
neglected,
idea of
as they may
breadth of the shoes used and
may also have some the length and
patches on the soles. Thespecial design or
pattern. There may be nails or
narks present, the number of patches, their numbers of nail
.he characteristics by which a shoe _hape and size are some of
print can
Dortions of the sole wear Qut differently in casebeofidentified with another.
this wear, tear, Stitches, repairs, etc., are different persons, and
also important points for
comparison.
In the comparison of the two shoe
prints, it is important to note that
there may be a large number of shoes of the same size,
shape. and design.
Thus, a general similarity alone is insufficint for establishing idntity.
The probability of establishing identity is high where two similar shoes
will showwear in exactly the_same manner or damaged at the same
points,
to the same extent and in the same way. Thus, the comparison of such
iregular features ismuch more significant than the size, shape and pattern
alone.
Shoeprint evidence assumes importance when the shoes, which made
the prints, areavailable with the suspeçt. Even in such cases only identifying
of the shoe is possible, and not the wearer. But frequently the wearer can
also be identified by the characteristic if available in the inner sole. The
inner sole generally leaves toe pattern, and the marks of inner and outer
heel pattern. Such marks may be found even if one wears socks.
10. Gait Pattern (Walking Picture)
When a person, while walking or running, makes a series of footprints
or impressions it is called a gait pattern or walking picture or walking
ensemble. It is possible to deduce some of the characteristics of the
OWner's manner of walking. Walking pattern is found to be highly
Individualistic. It may, therefore, be of great value to study them. The
gait pattern is analysed as follows:
which indicates the
(i) The direction line: It is an imaginary line,
direction in which the person is walking or moving. It is a
straight line.
 Investlgu
Forensle Sclence ln Crlme
88
normal perscns walk the gait line coCides with
(i) The gait line: In and runs along the inner sides of both heel.
direction line sen
the
often irregular, vary1ng with cach
prints. However, it is may be zigzag
of putting down the 1oot. It
because ofthe manner wide apart. It is more
procecding with leys
due to the pattern pregnant women, becaue they
broken in stout persons and in
apart to maintain equilibrium. Broken
walk with their feet wide
suggestive of sluggish persons, pregnant women.
walking line is booty or load on their backs.
drunkards and persons carrying
This is a straight líne runníng through the
( )The foot line: passes through
longitudinal axis of the footprit. It is a line, which
toe to the center of the heel. It is simply a line of
the seçond ínclination to the direction line
reference in the foot itself and íts
down.
shows the angle at which each foot is put
line and the direction
(iv) Thefoot angle: The angle between the foot characteristic,
line is knownas the foot angle. It can be highly
and does nót change much except when the subject stands stíll,
runs, walks up and down or carries heavy load. The foot angle
of a mån is often larger than that of women. The normal foot
angle is 30-32 degrees. It may vary with different individuals
and may also be different for the left and right foot of the same
individual.
() The principal angle: This is the angle between the foot lines of
the two feet, and is thus the sum of the two foot angles. The
principle angle will vary depending on the deformities in the
left or right foot.
(vi) The step length or stride: This is the distance between the centers
of two successive heel prints. It depends on the size of the
walker, his habits, and his speed. Generally, a tall person takes
longer steps than a short one, walking at the same speed. Persons
with hernia or pelvic dísorders often take steps,
which are very
short in proportion to the length of their legs. Some raitway
workers, on the contrary, may be accustomed to
exceptionally long steps because of walking on railway taking
tracks.
The step length varies from 20 to 40 inches. It is
inches is the average for sloW walking and 35 said that 27
walking. Persons running take step length overinches for fast
40 inches. A
 89
changing
that the
step length, in the same walking
picture, is an indication
person is limping. The normal leg takes a longer step
than the shorter one.
(vi) The Step Width: This is the
distance between the
in the direction of the
direction line touching theparallels
the right and left foot. (Fig.
drawn
inner sides of
12).
11. Other
Deductions from Walking Pattern
Age of the person: It maybe
marks are that of a young or old possible to know whether the track
twisting action of the toes and the ballperson. A young person may show
their walk drag earth by their toes. of the foot. Old persons
Their step
during
length will be
side of the footcomparatively
shorter. Marks of stick may also be found by the
Thesex: The sex of an impressions.
individual leaving track marks can be found
out by measuring the step length
of an adult woman is
and other characteristics. Step length
between to 22
18
between 25 to28 inches.The ball of the inches
foot in
and that of an adult male
narrower than that of a m¡n. The unimpressed woman is comparatively
part in a woman's foot
is more pronounced. Women
press their feet
towards the outside and the first two tees kick thewithout any inclination
the other three leave earth forward, whereas
stationary marks. Some Indian women wear rings
on the toes, and if they walk
barefooted are likely to leave their marks.
The Height of the Person: The length of a
footprint is not always
suggestive of the person's height, but generally'a longer footprint say,
10 -12 inches and step length exceeding 30 inches may
that of a tall person (near about,5' - 10" to 6 feet suggesti t to be
in
will not only havea smaller foot (say, 6 to & height). A short person
inches in
also register a shorter step length. Thus, a step length length), but would
inches with a foot whose length is about to 8 of about 20 or 24
who is not more than 5' - 3" or 5- 4" in height.inches suggest a person
ILLUSTRATIVE CASES
Case 1. In amurder case a set of footprints were
located on the wet soil
just outside the place of occurrence. It was observed that the size
of right footprint was bigger than the left footprint. On this basis
a search was made and finally a listed criminal
having the same
deformity was traced out. On interrogation he confessed his act
and was sentenced to death.