Page 1 of 5

Guide for Casework Documentation (03/2008)

1. Scope

1.1 This Guide provides procedures for documenting the examination of footwear 

and tire impression evidence.

1.2 The particular procedures and methods employed in a given case will depend on 

the evidence.

1.3 This Guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon evidence.

1.4 This Guide does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, 

associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this Guide to establish 

appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory 

limitations prior to use.

1.5 This Guide is not intended as a substitute for training in the documentation of the 

procedures used in the examination of footwear and tire impression evidence. 

Completion of a training program and experience in these skills is essential to 

understanding and applying the principles outlined in this Guide.

2. Terminology

3. Significance and Use

3.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the generally accepted body of 

knowledge and experience in the documentation of the items and methodology used 

in the examination of footwear and tire impression evidence. By following these 

procedures, the footwear or tire track examination can be properly documented.

3.2 Notes are taken in order to describe the items received, procedures followed, 

examinations conducted, and conclusions reached.

4. Interferences

5. Equipment and Requirements

5.1 Materials and equipment necessary to document and record observations and 

procedures.
SWGTREAD Page 2 of 5

Guide for Casework Documentation (03/2008)

6. Procedures

6.1 Describe the original packaging, such as outside container, its condition and any 

identifying source information in accordance with laboratory policy.

6.2 Inventory contents and mark in accordance with laboratory policy.

6.3 Describe the impressioned items sufficiently to be distinguished from other 

similar items.

6.3.1 Original items

For example, “Piece of glass measuring 4 inches by 8 inches bearing a 

footwear impression”

6.3.2 Original lifts

6.3.2.1 The type of lift (gelatin, electrostatic, adhesive, etc.) 

Note: If adhesive lift, indicate which side the adhesive is on.

6.3.2.2 The type of impression lifted (original residue, fingerprint powder and 

color)

6.3.2.3 Description of the impression(s) lifted (patterned impression, multiple 

impressions, heel impression, etc.)

6.3.2.4 Source of impression / item identifier, if indicated

6.3.3 Casts

6.3.3.1 Type of casting material (Dental stone, sulfur, etc.)

6.3.3.2 Dimensions, condition and quality of cast (length, broken, washed, 

etc.)

6.3.3.3 Description of the cast impression(s) (footwear, tire, etc.)

6.3.3.4 Source of impression/item identifier, if indicated

6.3.4 Digital storage media

6.3.4.1 Type of storage media (CD, DVD, etc.)

6.3.4.2 General description of content. 

For example, “CD containing 10 images labeled 001.jpg-010.jpg”
SWGTREAD Page 3 of 5

Guide for Casework Documentation (03/2008)

6.3.4.3 Description of images used in impression examination.

For example, “Images of footwear impressions labeled 001.jpg – 006.jpg”

6.3.5 Negative(s)

6.3.5.1 General description of negatives (size, black and white, color, etc.)

For example, “Ten (10) 35 mm color negatives, frame numbers 1-10, on 

strip number 45301”

6.3.5.2 Description of content of negatives used in impression examination. 

For example, “negatives 3 through 7 depict footwear impressions”

6.3.6 Print(s)/photograph(s)

6.3.6.1 Type of photographs (black and white, color, size, number, etc.)

6.3.6.2 Description of content

For example, “Six photographs of shoe impression in snow, identified as 

impression 7”

6.3.7 Videos

6.3.7.1 Description of format (DVD, VHS, etc.)

6.3.7.2 Description of content

For example, “DVD bearing video of crime scene, case # 12345”

6.4 Describe the known items sufficiently to be distinguished from other similar items.

6.4.1 Known shoes

6.4.1.1 General description of shoes to include brand name, size, outsole 

design, condition, label information

6.4.1.2 Date collected and from whom

For example, “shoes obtained 3/14/07 from Jimmy Jones”

6.4.2 Known tires

6.4.2.1 General description of tires to include manufacturer, model, size, 

Department of Transportation number, design, condition, and mold number

6.4.2.2 Date collected, from what vehicle, and from what position
SWGTREAD Page 4 of 5

Guide for Casework Documentation (03/2008)

6.4.3 Submitted test impressions of shoes

6.4.3.1 Impression medium (gel lift, Identicator print, etc.)

6.4.3.2 Source (who shoe belongs to)

6.4.3.3 Information about the shoes provided with the test impression (make, 

model, description, size, etc.)

6.4.3.4 Quality of impression

6.4.4 Submitted test impressions of tires

6.4.4.1 Impression medium (ink on white paper, Treadprint, etc.)

6.4.4.2 Source (vehicle information and position)

6.4.4.3 Information about the tires provided with the test impression (make, 

model, description, size, etc.)

6.4.4.4 Quality of impression

6.4.5 Prints/images of known shoes or tires

6.4.5.1 Description of media (digital image, print, photograph, etc.)

6.4.5.2 Content of print/image. For example, “Four (4) 4” x 6” prints depicting 

tires on police vehicle #129”

6.5 Record the Procedures used during the preparation, photography, and 

examination of this evidence. Refer to specific procedures as outlined in the Guide 

for Examination of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence and the Guide for the 

Preparation of Test Impressions from Footwear and Tires.

6.5.1 Casework notes should be taken to document all phases of case 

preparation, test impression preparation, and examination with sufficient detail to 

allow another competent examiner or supervisor to fully evaluate the entire 

examination process and conclusions reached. These notes should include 

specific notations, arrows, comments, pictures or whatever is necessary to 

document class characteristics, wear characteristics, and individual 

characteristics that were observed and formed the basis for the examiner’s 

opinion.

6.5.2 Notes can be in the form of handwritten or typed observations, annotated 

photographs with arrows, lines or other symbols to mark the details used to 

render a conclusion, overlays of test impressions attached to the photographs of 

questioned impressions, and any other suitable ways to document observations.
SWGTREAD Page 5 of 5

Guide for Casework Documentation (03/2008)

7. Report

7.1 Evidence examined, examinations conducted, procedures utilized, evidence 

photographed, and conclusions reached should be documented and may also 

appear in a report.

8. Bibliography

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

FL, 2000.

SWGTREAD, “Guide for the Examination of Footwear and Tire Impression

Evidence”, JFI, 56 (5), 2006, pp.800-805.d

SWGTREAD, “Guide for the Preparation of Test Impressions from Footwear and

Tires”, JFI, 55 (6), pp.781-786.