Footprints

Footprints

Footprints can link someone to a crime scene.

They reveal shoe type, foot size, walking pattern, and sometimes even height or weight.

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Why Footprints Matter

Poll

Would two pairs of the same shoe leave the exact same print?

• Yes

• No

• Toe Area: The front part of the footprint where the toes leave an impression. Can show toe shape, size, and whether toes point inward or outward.

• Ball of the Foot: The widest part of the footprint, located just behind the toes. Usually leaves a strong impression because it carries a lot of body weight during walking.

• Heel: The rear part of the footprint. Often the first part of the foot to contact the ground during walking.

Parts of a Footprint

Clark's Angle is a measurement used to determine the height of a person's foot arch.

• A larger angle usually indicates a higher arch.

• A smaller angle usually indicates a flatter foot.

General Guide:

• Less than 30° = Flat foot

• 30–42° = Low arch

• 42–54° = Normal arch

• Greater than 54° = High arch

Clark's Angle

Soles have different patterns (treads). Over time, wear makes them unique.

Tread Patterns

Footprint Features

• Length - can estimate height

• Depth - can show weight or force

• Tread - matches the shoe

• Spacing - shows the stride (running or walking, etc.)

• Angle - reveals walking pattern

Match

Have a guess at what each characteristic may say about how a person is moving.

• Longer stride

• Shorter stride

• Uneven stride

• Wide steps

• In-toeing or out-toeing

Walking fast or running

Walking slowly

Favouring one leg or injured

Carrying something heavy

Pigeon-toed or duck-footed

• Walking fast or running

• Walking slowly

• Favouring one leg or injured

• Carrying something heavy

• Pigeon-toed or duck-footed

Shoe Clues

​Clue	​What it Suggests
Deep toe prints	​
Heel deeper than toe​	​
One print is deeper than the other​	​
Long stride length​	​
Short stride length​	​
Wide space between feet​	​
Right foot angled outward​	​
Drag mark behind foot​	​
Worn sole edges (inner / outer)	​

Shoe Clues

​Clue	​What it Suggests
Deep toe prints	Running or moving quickly​
Heel deeper than toe​	Walking slowly​
One print is deeper than the other​	Favouring one leg or carrying weight unevenly​
Long stride length​	Running or walking fast​
Short stride length​	Moving slowly or carefully​
Wide space between feet​	Carrying something or trying to stay balanced​
Right foot angled outward​	Out-toeing or rotated leg posture​
Drag mark behind foot​	Limp, injury, or tired leg​
Worn sole edges (inner / outer)	Bow-legged, knock-kneed, or flat-footed gait

Richard Ramirez allegedly killed fourteen people but he raped as well as tortured at least two dozen more. This happened mainly during 1985 spring and summer. He happened to be a heavy drug user and he turned out to be a Satanism fanatic.

In August 1985, Ramirez was apprehended and sentenced to death. He spent his days inside California's San Quentin Prison. At the age of 53, he died from cancer on June 7th, 2013.

Richard Ramirez

Multiple Choice

Which part of the footprint is located between the heel and the ball of the foot?

• Toe

• Ankle

• Arch

• Instep

Multiple Choice

What can a footprint's stride length help investigators estimate?

• The age of the individual who made the footprint

• The weight of the individual who made the footprint

• The shoe size of the individual who made the footprint

• The height and seed of the individual who made the footprint

Multiple Choice

A person with flat feet would typically have:

• A high arch in the feet

• An uneven foot size

• A rigid structure in the foot

• A low or absent arch in the feet

Multiple Choice

What is Clarke's Angle used to measure?

• Shoe size

• Toe Length

• Arch Height

• Walking Speed

Multiple Choice

Which part of the foot usually makes contact with the ground first during normal walking?

• Heel
• Arch
• Ball
• Toe

Multiple Choice

What is gait?

• Gait is the pattern of movement of the limbs during walking or running.
• Gait describes the style of clothing worn while exercising.
• Gait is the sound made by animals during movement.
• Gait refers to the speed of a vehicle on a road.

Multiple Choice

Why can footprints be useful evidence in forensic investigations?

• Footprints can reveal the weather conditions at a crime scene

• Footprints are only useful for tracking animals in the wild

• Footprints can help identify suspects and provide insights into their movements

• Footprints can indicate the type of shoes worn by the suspect

Multiple Choice

Richard Ramirez was known by which nickname?

• The Midnight Phantom
• The Dark Avenger
• The Night Stalker
• The Shadow Hunter