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

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Rarity and Discriminating Potential of Wear Characteristics

Describe

the need:

Investigate the discriminating power of shoe outsole wear characteristics based upon the 

position, size, shape and degree of wear on outsoles. Results should include data discussing 

the persistence (over time) of wear features, the rarity of the features, and the potential 

for random agreement of wear in unrelated outsoles.

Keyword(s): Forensic footwear, Wear characteristics, Position of wear, Shape of wear, Persistence

Submitting subcommittee(s): Footwear & Tire Subcommittee 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)

• Davis, R.J. & DeHaan, J.D. (1977), A Survey of Men’s Footwear, Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 17(4): pp. 

271-285.

• Davis, R.J. & Keeley, A. (2000), Feathering of Footwear, Science and Justice, 40(4): pp. 273-276.

• Fruchtenicht, T.L., Herzig, W.P., & Blackledge, R.D. (2002), The Discrimination of Two-Dimensional Military Boot 

Impressions Based on Wear Patterns, Science and Justice, 42(2): pp. 97-104.

• Bodziak, W.J., Hammer, L., Johnson, G.M., & Schenck, R. (2012), Determining the Significance of Outsole Wear 

Characteristics During the Forensic Examination of Footwear Impression Evidence, Journal of Forensic 

Identification, 62(3): pp. 254-278.

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?

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

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

The day-to-day operations of the laboratory are not expected to change as a function of this research. However, the 

reporting structure, strength of conclusions and examiner training may change over time to incorporate the research 

findings. The research findings pertaining to rarity and chance of random agreement could be combined with 

frequency studies of class and randomly acquired characteristics when applied to these capabilities, but this is 

considered a down-stream impact and is outside the scope of this research need.

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

subcommittee(s)?

Wear patterns aid in greatly narrowing the population of potential source shoes that could have made an evidence 

impression, even in the absence of randomly acquired characteristics (RACs). Therefore, the results of this research 

would provide an objective, quantitative, and empirically-obtained basis for assessing the persistence and associated 

discrimination potential (given the amount of time between the commission of a crime and the collection of suspect 

shoes) of these features within known populations.

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

Having persistence and rarity data on outsole wear patterns will directly impact the degree of confidence of the 

footwear examiner’s opinion that is presented in court, specifically regarding source attributions which require 

assessments of the expected appearance/degree of wear if time elapses between crime and collection. This would be 

beneficial to the trier of fact in giving weight to expert testimony and could potentially be used as a statistical basis for 

opinions.

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

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

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.