ABSTRACT
Most criminals are not aware of the existence of or the potential of footwear impressions during the commission of a crime. However, they, may become aware that their footwear constitutes important evidence, either because an investigator takes interest in their shoes, or through the news media’s coverage of footwear evidence at a crime scene. When this occurs, it becomes increasingly likely they will destroy or discard their shoes. For this reason, evidentiary interest in shoes or shoe impressions should not be made public or revealed to suspected persons, particularly before the supect’s shoes have been seized.
