AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE PERSISTENCE OF SHOE PRINTS ACROSS DIFFERENT SURFACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

  • Unique Paper ID: 197592
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 11
  • PageNo: 7708-7711
  • Abstract:
  • Shoe prints constitute a significant category of impression evidence in forensic science, offering valuable insights into crime scene reconstruction and suspect identification. This study investigates the persistence and degradation of shoe prints across various surfaces and environmental conditions. The longevity of shoe prints is influenced by multiple factors, including surface texture, moisture, temperature, sunlight exposure, and mechanical disturbances such as human activity. Experimental observations were conducted on different surfaces such as soil, tile, and cement using footwear with varying sole compositions, including rubber, synthetic, and leather materials. Controlled simulations involving rainfall, moisture exposure, and sunlight were applied to evaluate their effects on the clarity and recoverability of shoe print impressions over time. The findings reveal that non-porous and protected surfaces retain impressions for longer durations, whereas porous and outdoor surfaces are more susceptible to rapid degradation. Additionally, environmental factors such as humidity and rainfall significantly accelerate the deterioration process. The study emphasizes the importance of timely documentation and appropriate enhancement techniques in preserving footwear evidence. Understanding the persistence of shoe prints enhances forensic interpretation, aids in establishing timelines, and strengthens the evidentiary value of impression evidence in criminal investigations.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{197592,
        author = {Vasanth B and Devika J and Anjali.P},
        title = {AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE PERSISTENCE OF SHOE PRINTS ACROSS DIFFERENT SURFACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {7708-7711},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=197592},
        abstract = {Shoe prints constitute a significant category of impression evidence in forensic science, offering valuable insights into crime scene reconstruction and suspect identification. This study investigates the persistence and degradation of shoe prints across various surfaces and environmental conditions. The longevity of shoe prints is influenced by multiple factors, including surface texture, moisture, temperature, sunlight exposure, and mechanical disturbances such as human activity. Experimental observations were conducted on different surfaces such as soil, tile, and cement using footwear with varying sole compositions, including rubber, synthetic, and leather materials. Controlled simulations involving rainfall, moisture exposure, and sunlight were applied to evaluate their effects on the clarity and recoverability of shoe print impressions over time. The findings reveal that non-porous and protected surfaces retain impressions for longer durations, whereas porous and outdoor surfaces are more susceptible to rapid degradation. Additionally, environmental factors such as humidity and rainfall significantly accelerate the deterioration process. The study emphasizes the importance of timely documentation and appropriate enhancement techniques in preserving footwear evidence. Understanding the persistence of shoe prints enhances forensic interpretation, aids in establishing timelines, and strengthens the evidentiary value of impression evidence in criminal investigations.},
        keywords = {Shoeprint persistence, Environmental degradation, Footwear impression evidence, Surface interaction.},
        month = {April},
        }

Cite This Article

B, V., & J, D., & Anjali.P, (2026). AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE PERSISTENCE OF SHOE PRINTS ACROSS DIFFERENT SURFACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(11), 7708–7711.

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