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Preliminary Study of the Uniqueness of Barefoot Impressions

NCJ Number
174206
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1996 Pages: 233-238
Author(s)
R B Kennedy
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The uniqueness of barefoot impressions was studied by means of a computer-based search process and information from inked barefoot impressions from 3,000 volunteers.
Abstract
The computer search used 38 different measurements taken for each pair of feet. Searches through the present database of more than 3,800 impressions produced a possible match only when the print being searched was already in the database. In these cases, a visual examination of the matched footprints was sufficient to determine that they were from the same individual. Thus, findings were consistent with the idea of the uniqueness of barefoot impressions. However, many more impressions must be entered and searched before a more definitive conclusion regarding the uniqueness of barefoot impressions can be made. Figures and 4 references (Author abstract modified)