November 25, 2015
Akira MITSUZANE
Former chief of the Identification DivisionTokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Seminar on Soleprints in Bangkok (Summary)
1. What is a soleprint?
A soleprint is a dermatoglyphic pattern on the sole of the foot. As in
the case of a fingerprint, it remains durable and unchanged throughout
one’s life, which enables identification in a scientific way. Unlike
fingerprints, the use of soleprints in criminal investigation has been
largely ignored in Japan.
2. Identity confirmation in Japan = Scientific methods for identification
Needed to identify victims of crimes, accidents or natural disasters andthose with amnesia or dementia(1) General methods for identifying a corpse
A reasonable assumption is made through interviewing family
members and checking other characteristics of the deceased, such as
his/her height, build, moles, (operative) scars, and tattoos, as well as
his/her belongings and clothes(2) Scientific methods for identificationa. Fingerprints---kept for only those with criminal records; samples
taken from his/her house, workplace, etc.
b. Teeth---Medical records written by dentists
c. DNA---Whether he/she has identical DNA with his/her next of kin;samples taken from his/her house, workplace, etc.
There is NO fingerprint database for all Japanese nationals in Japan.
* In Japan, from the standpoint of protecting privacy and personal
information, there is no “pubic consensus” that authorities establish
fingerprint database for all the citizens
3. Increased interest in soleprints
We have had a long history of using fingerprints in the field of criminal
investigation. The public has a sense of caution against the police. Afterthe March 2011 disaster, a number of samples went missing, and fewer
family members could provide their fingerprints for comparison. We now
live in an environment where we cannot simply apply conventional
scientific methods. Can the soleprints replace them?
(1) Have the soleprints ever been used for criminal investigation? Wehave had such cases in the past, but the cases are extremely rare.
(2) Projected huge earthquakes and tsunami in Tokyo and along theNankai megathrust may cause thousands of casualties.
(3) As of today, 18,460 people died or went missing and a little over 6,000
people received injuries in the March 2011 disaster. The identities ofmore than 100 victims have not been confirmed up to date. There wasalso a significant rise in the number of crimes overseas involving
Japanese, and the number of missing persons with dementia is
expected to increase to more than 10,000.
(4) Advantages in the use of soleprints
Numerous characteristic points (munitias) over a wide area; samples
are easily taken, as they are well preserved with shoes and socks;
High technical skills are not needed
4. Underlying issues to be solved(1) Proper administration of personal information; Which authorities will
be in charge; Close coordination among relevant authorities(2) Measures on how to avoid identify theft and altered soleprints

Categorical names for soleprints

Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho in Bangkok has
soleprints, too“Fingerprints (soleprints) are great masterpieces createdby the God of the Evolution”
by Masaru IBUKA, former chairman of Sony Corporation