FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Development of Improved Multi-Use Casting Materials

Describe

the need:

Currently a significant number of three-dimensional footwear/tire impressions are not 

being recovered correctly from crime scenes, particularly in snow. The correct recovery 

method is photography followed by casting. The reasons for this are the amount of time 

needed to cast an impression using traditional materials (dental stone), the specialist 

knowledge necessary (training), and the variability of results (the method needs to be 

tweaked depending on environmental conditions). There is therefore a need to perform 

research to identify or develop materials that overcome the limitations of traditional 

materials. Such materials must have the following properties: set quickly even at low 

temperatures, be easy to apply/use, have minimal expansion, be able to record fine detail 

with high fidelity, and be affordable.

Keyword(s): Footwear, Tires, Three-Dimensional Impression, Casting, Snow

Submitting subcommittee(s): Footwear & Tire Date Approved: February 23, 2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

• Bodziak, W. J. Footwear Impression Evidence 2nd Edition; CRC Press: Boca Raton, 

 FL, 2000; Chapters 3 and 4. 

• Cassidy, M. J. Footwear Identification; Canadian Government Printing Centre: 

 Quebec, Canada, 1980; Chapters 2 and 3. 

• Hammer, L.; Wolfe, J. Shoe and Tire Impressions in Snow: Photography and Casting. 

 Journal of Forensic Identification 2003, 53 (6), 647-655. 

• Snyder, C. The Ability of Footwear to produce Impressions of Good Detail in Sandy Soil Substrates, Journal of 

Forensic Identification, 2015, 65 (3), 273-290. 
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 2

• Snyder, C. A Comparison of Photography and Casting Methods of Footwear Impressions in Different Sandy Soil 

Substrates, Journal of Forensic Identification, 2016, 66(1), 37-58.

• Hilderbrand, D. S.; Miller, M. Casting Materials: Which One to Use! Journal of Forensic 

 Identification 1995, 45 (6), 618-630. 

• Daulby, F. An Evaluation of Snow Casting Materials. Identification Canada 1987, 10 (1), 10-11. 

 Hueske, E. E. Photographing and Casting Footwear/Tiretrack Impressions in Snow. Journal of Forensic 

 Identification 1991, 41 (2), 92-95. 

• Nause, L. A. Casting Footwear Impressions in Snow: Snowprint-Wax vs. Prill Sulphur. R.C.M.P. Gazette (Cand.) 

1992, 54 (12), 1-7. 

• Petraco, N., Sherman, H., Dumitra, A., Roberts, M. Casting of 3-dimensional Footwear Prints in Snow with Foam 

Blocks, Forensic Science International, 2016, 263, 147-151. 

• Redmond, D. R.; Swiderski, W. D. Origin and Formation of Prill Sulpher. Journal of 

 Forensic Identification 1999, 49 (1), pp. 1-6. 

• Skreptak, M. G. Preservation of Impressions in Slush Prior to Casting. Identification Canada 1988, 11 (1), 4-5.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

An increase in quality and quantity of 3D impressions coming into the laboratory would allow for more comparisons 

to be conducted and more accurate results to be reported.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

Limited impact.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Currently there is a significant amount of footwear/tire evidence not being collected or not being collected properly. 

Accurate collection would benefit the criminal justice system as more cases would now be able to use footwear/tire 

evidence and results would be reported with greater accuracy.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): III

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 3

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.