Opinion ID: 1127469
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Footprint Comparisons

Text: Defendants argue that the evidence of footprint comparisons was improperly admitted because Detective Lent was not qualified as an expert. Footprint comparisons are a proper subject of expert testimony in a criminal prosecution. State v. Runningeagle, 176 Ariz. 59, 69, 859 P.2d 169, 179, cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 114 S.Ct. 609, 126 L.Ed.2d 574 (1993). Whether a witness is competent to testify as an expert is a matter primarily for the trial court and largely within its discretion. Salazar, 173 Ariz. at 407, 844 P.2d at 574. Lent's qualifications and background included extensive tracking in criminal investigations, qualifying in both federal and state courts as an expert, tracking livestock, military training in the examination of enemy trails, hunting, trapping, training from an experienced Department of Public Safety officer, teaching numerous classes in tracking and footprint identification, experience in training shoe and boot identification, determinations of matches on hundreds of occasions, and reading articles. See State v. Dixon, 153 Ariz. 151, 155, 735 P.2d 761, 765 (1987). Rule 702, Arizona Rules of Evidence, provides: If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise. Under this rule, the detective's experience is sufficient to qualify him as an expert. See Dixon, 153 Ariz. at 155, 735 P.2d at 765 (A witness must indicate that his training and experience qualify him to render enlightened opinions and draw sophisticated conclusions from the particular type of evidence available.); Salazar, 173 Ariz. at 407, 844 P.2d at 574 (police detective was competent to give expert testimony concerning details of footprints where he had received training in tracking). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in qualifying Lent as an expert. See State v. Kelly, 111 Ariz. 181, 188, 526 P.2d 720, 727 (1974), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 935, 95 S.Ct. 1143, 43 L.Ed.2d 411 (1975). Defendants also objected based on failure to use Frye standards in analyzing the method used by the officers in collecting and recording the footprint evidence. See Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir.1923), overruled on federal law grounds by Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993). However, Frye analysis is not applicable to footprints. See Runningeagle, 176 Ariz. at 69, 859 P.2d at 179. In addition, Roger argues that the trial court's denial of his request for expenses for an out-of-state expert on footprint identification was error. Roger requested funds for several experts, including one to testify on footprint evidence. In response, the trial court authorized $3000 before trial for additional investigation and experts, for use as the defense determined. See A.R.S. ง 13-4013(B) (1989) (indigent defendant charged with capital offense is entitled to investigator and expert witnesses deemed reasonably necessary to present defense). While the trial court provided funds for experts, the trial court did question the need to bring in a particular witness from Washington, D.C., when other experts from within Arizona or neighboring states were available. In order to find an abuse of discretion, we must determine that the denial or restriction of investigative funds substantially prejudiced the defendant. State v. Clabourne, 142 Ariz. 335, 342, 690 P.2d 54, 61 (1984). Roger has failed to show how he was prejudiced by the trial court's refusal to allocate more than $3000 for investigators and experts. See State v. Gonzales, 181 Ariz. 502, 511, 892 P.2d 838, 847 (1995). Roger also argues that because the sheriff's office did not use proper procedures in analyzing and preserving footprint evidence, the evidence should have been excluded. An evidentiary hearing on Roger's pretrial motion to suppress was held at which Detective Lent explained the methods he used in preserving and analyzing the footprint evidence. He admitted that he did not follow FBI procedures. The trial court concluded that Detective Lent was qualified as an expert and that the evidence of investigative methods went to weight rather than admissibility. On cross-examination at trial, Lent testified that he did not grid the area, photograph the shoes of officers, cast the prints, or use a tripod in photographing the prints. Defense called its investigator, Jack Nelson, to dispute the methods used by Detective Lent. There is more than one way in which footprints can be preserved and analyzed. Although Detective Lent did not follow FBI procedures, this does not require exclusion of the evidence. We agree with the trial court that Detective Lent's testimony was properly admitted and that any issue of proper methodology went to the weight rather than admissibility. See Kelly, 111 Ariz. at 188, 526 P.2d at 727.