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

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: R1: National Footwear Database

Describe

the need:

This is a revision (R1) to the previously listed need “National Footwear Database.” The 

revision considers the outcomes of the following study: 

Brian C. McVicker, John F. McGurk, Stephen D. Shaw. “U.S. National Footwear Database 

System Feasibility Study.” NCJRS. Document Number 304048, Award No. 2016-DNR-5470. 

January 2022. pp. 1-46.

Footwear evidence is currently underutilized in the United States. A national footwear 

database would support the use and value of footwear evidence in criminal intelligence. 

This database would allow multiple agencies to share footwear information, including 

determining the make/model of a shoe from shoe impressions, linking crime scenes by 

comparing crime-scene impressions, and linking suspects to crimes by comparing arrestee 

footwear with crime-scene impressions. It should also allow for seamless and automated 

integration of existing footwear databases created by different agencies. 

To support this need, research should address one or more of the following outcomes: (1.) 

Development of a scan or photo documentation system which could be functionally 

utilized in law enforcement booking areas and jails (2.) The training, testing, and validation 

of algorithms to support accuracy and efficiency in the search, retrieval and linkage of 

impressions within datasets that vary in quality/quantity, (3.) The use of metrics/scores to 

assess the strength of comparisons between impressions, (4.) Return on investment 

evaluations based on pilot studies, (5.) Recommendations concerning database 

architecture, data definition, data modeling and standards, data interchange standards, 

and interoperability standards for integrating existing agency databases, (6.) A 

comprehensive review of states’ laws and regulations and/or opinions from the various 

State Attorney Generals/District Attorneys in order to ascertain the legal feasibility of 

deploying a National Footwear Database in respective States. 

Keyword(s): Footwear Intelligence, Database, Linking Crime Scenes, Linking Suspects to Scenes

Submitting subcommittee(s): Footwear & Tire Tread Date Approved: 10/24/2022

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)

N/A.
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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)?

NIJ/FTCoE cooperative agreement: Footwear Intelligence Development Group (FIDG).

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)

McVicker, B.C., McGurk, J.F., Shaw, S.D.. “U.S. National Footwear Database System Feasibility Study.” NCJRS. 

Document Number 304048, Award No. 2016-DNR-5470. January 2022. pp. 1-46.

Henderson J. & Armitage R., (2018) “If the Shoe Fits: Proposing a Randomised Control Trial on the effect of a 

digitised in-custody footwear technology compared to a paper-based footwear method.”, Crime Security and 

Society 1(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.5920/css.2018.02 

Needham, J. A. and Sharp, J. S. (2016) Watch your step! A frustrated total internal reflection approach to forensic 

footwear imaging. Sci. Rep. 6, 21290; doi: 10.1038/srep21290

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.

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

This research would result in faster, more extensive and more reliable intelligence gathering for footwear 

forensics.

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

subcommittee(s)?

Limited value.

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

The ability to improve the reliability, speed and variety of intelligence gathering could greatly help in identifying 

potential suspects and solving more cases. It could also result in greater use of footwear evidence overall, 

including improved training for collecting evidence at crime scenes.
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8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): II

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.