Footprints

  Footprints, shoe prints, and tire tracks found at the scene of the crime can be important evidence to connect a suspect to the crime. For your crime you could go outdoors and make footprints in the mud. After you have made the footprint a cast can be made. Footprints can also be made using black pigment powder found in arts and crafts stores.

     I went to a discount store and bought four inexpensive pairs of shoes. They are four different sizes and three different types. We are near the ocean, so one pair is a type of sandal. I always have a disgusted suspect whose alibi is that he or she spent the day walking the beach.

MATERIALS:

     black pigment powder
     8 1/2" x 14" piece of paper
     sneakers or shoes with different patterns on the bottom

ADVANCED PREPARATION:

     Sprinkle the powder (any powdered paint will work) on the piece of paper. Place your hand in the shoe and roll the bottom of the shoe in the powder. Place the shoe where you want it on your crime scene paper. If you prefer you could place the footprints on pieces of paper and lay them on the crime scene. I place them directly on the paper. Label the shoes with the names of the suspects.   

PROCEDURE:

     Students match the footprints (shoeprints) left at the scene to the labeled shoes.