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CSAFE Survey on Footwear Evidence Encountered in Casework

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Researchers at the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE) are working together with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create a research database with realistic crime scene-like impressions. This database aims to enable the development of algorithms to aid practitioners as they carry out their examinations. To ensure that the database includes impressions relevant to the community, CSAFE is asking for your help.

The following survey will allow CSAFE to collect information about the type of impressions footwear examiners encounter as they complete casework. Your survey responses will guide the types of case-like impressions to be included in the research database. Responses will not be shared with anyone and will be used to understand which types of footwear evidence are the most commonly encountered.

Survey of Methods for Characterizing Footwear Evidence:
https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_79DB0mtrskUyucB

More about CSAFE footwear research:
https://forensicstats.org/footwear/

Questions about the survey can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

U.S. DOJ Publishes Statement on PCAST Report

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On January 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a statement regarding the September 2016 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (“PCAST”) report titled, Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature Comparison Methods. According to DOJ, the report "contained several fundamentally erroneous claims. Among them were that 'feature comparison' methods belong to the scientific discipline of metrology (measurement science); that feature comparison methods can only be deemed 'foundationally valid' by adhering to PCAST’s mandatory and non-severable set of experimental design criteria; and that error rates for feature comparison methods can only be established using these 'appropriately designed' black box studies.

Access both the abstract and statement at DOJ's Forensic Science site.

Webster Groves High School Payless-Walmart Footwear Database is Down

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The Webster Groves High School Payless-Walmart Footwear Database site (https://studentswgmail.sharepoint.com/sites/forensics) has recently gone down (as of 08/27/2020). The site admin requested that I post an announcement here so that no one will email her seeking assistance or requesting access to the site until further notice. Unfortunately, the site admin has no specific timeframe for restoring the site as she is seeking to find a suitable hosting alternative.
 
If there are any web experts that see this announcement and could provide hosting/site assistance to the site admin, please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 

Forensic Footwear Reliability: Part I—Participant Demographics and Examiner Agreement

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Speir, J.A. (2020). Forensic Footwear Reliability: Part I—Participant Demographics and Examiner Agreement. (online version of record before inclusion in an issue)

Read more ...

DOJ Approved and Published Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTRs) for Both Footwear and Tire Disciplines

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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has developed guidance documents governing the testimony and reports of its forensic experts. These documents, known as Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR), are designed to provide guidance on the submission of scientific statements by the Department’s forensic examiners when drafting reports or testifying. This applies to those examiners employed by the ATF, DEA and FBI.

On June 8, 2020, DOJ approved ULTRs for both the Forensic Footwear Discipline and the Forensic Tire Discipline; these documents are now available online with an effective date of August 15, 2020. These two specific ULTRs apply to both ATF and FBI laboratory examiners who are authorized to prepare reports and provide expert witness testimony regarding forensic footwear and tire examinations.

It should be noted that the ULTRs are work product of DOJ and in no way are affiliated with the OSAC.

More Articles ...

  1. NIST OSAC Footwear and Tire Subcommittee Published First Document
  2. Variability of Class Characteristics Observed in Die Cut Outsoles Composed of Both Rubber and Textile Materials
  3. A Comparison of Hydrophobic Barriers for Casting Footwear Impressions in Water-Soluble Food Products
  4. Inherent Variation in Multiple Shoe-Sole Test Impressions
  5. Dependence Among Randomly Acquired Characteristics on Shoeprints and Their Features

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Resources

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Responses

  • PCAST
    • 02/24/17—IAI Footwear & Tire Track Subcommittee
    • 10/19/16—IAI
    • 12/01/15—OSAC Footwear & Tire Subcommittee
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Working Groups

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OSAC (ASB) Document Announcements

DRAFTS FOR COMMENT

  • Best Practice Recommendation for Photographic Documentation of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence (First Edition)
    Comment Deadline, November 2, 2020
  • Standard for Examination and Documentation of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence (First Edition)
    Comment Deadline, November 2, 2020

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

  • Best Practice Recommendation for Lifting of Footwear and Tire Impressions (First Edition, 2020)
  • Standard for Minimum Qualifications and Training for a Footwear/Tire Forensic Science Service Provider (First Edition, 2020)
  • Standard for Footwear/Tire Examination Proficiency Testing Program (First Edition, 2020)

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