Footprint Activity (Saturday December 3 2011)

During a professional Crime Scene Investigation, the only source of evidence might even be a footprint. Have you ever noticed the bottom of your shoe? Does it have weird patterns, the company logo, or any distinct characteristics? All of these things would be critical in catching a criminal. 


This activity is based upon footprints found at a crime scene. For this activity, me and my partners each had to place our footprints in dirt obtained from outside of the school. Once each footprint was made, we had to analyze distinct characteristics about the shoe. We also measured the length and width of the footprint as well as other information. My shoe has the company logo on the bottom so if I was a criminal, it would be obvious that I was the one who committed the crime.

In addition to the activity, we also had to identify the different weather conditions and more:

Experiment Title: Foot Print Analysis      Date: 11/17/11     Time: 10:35
Observer's Names: Isai, Jackie, and Anthony
Weather Conditions: cloudy and humid with light precipitation
Temperature:  75 degrees (F)   Wind Strength and Direction: 24 mph: (240 degrees WSW)
Relative Humidity: 73%  Most Recent Precipitation: Last Night
Substrate: Dirt   Number of Tracks Identified: 3
Impression measurements: length and width:
   1. Isai : length: 29cm  width:11cm
   2.Jackie: Length: 21cm  width: 9cm
   3. Anthony: Length: 1ft  width: 10cm
position in track series:  North  Direction of Track Way:  North
Class Characteristics:

  1. Isai: This footprint had the brand name visible on the print; it spelled "WORLD". There are diagonal lines on the outside and inside of the letters:
  2. Jackie: This footprint was determined to have been from a high heel. There are wavy checkered patterns on the front part of the shoe. The length of the foot is somewhat small. 
  3. Anthony: This footprint had a small indentation in the heel and the bottom edges of the heel were indented as well. There are also small diagonal lines from the heel to the toes. 


4 comments:

Manami Niimoto said...

I liked reading this post! I thought it was interesting how even footprints can be used to capture criminals.
How exactly are the footprints taken for evidence?

good post :)

Isai Sanchez said...

Thanks big brother ^-^

normally when scientists are out collecting evidence, they will fill up the foot print with a liquid called "plaster". this liquid eventually solidifies and is preserved. then, they take the shape of the footprint and compare it to the suspects.

i'm glad you enjoyed it o(^-^)o

Asami Kimiko said...

I liked this one also!.
your explanation of this activity also is vivid and precise.

so do all those weather conditions affect the scene too? I can see how that would occur. wet dirt, mud, and more.

anyways, good job =^-^=

Manami Niimoto said...

oh, your explanation makes it clear now :D
I really enjoyed ALL you posts so far! I think I will tell my friends about forensics now ^-^

so good Isai !!