Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK.
J Forensic Sci. 2021 May;66(3):1056-1064. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14662. Epub 2021 Jan 4.
Three-dimensional (plastic) footwear impressions are frequently found at, or in the vicinity of a crime scene, and may provide a valuable form of evidence or intelligence. This paper compares the traditional methods of casting and/or two-dimensional photography with Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. We focus both on the recovery of class characteristics (sole pattern) and randomly acquired characteristics caused by damage. We examine how different recovery techniques influence visualization of outsole features and discuss what effect this may have on evidential value. Five shoes and their associated three-dimensional impressions made in both sand and soil were compared using a grid system and tread descriptors commonly used in the UK. We conclude that within the limitations of this study SfM photogrammetry allows superior levels of visualization of both class and randomly acquired characteristics, giving a better definition in detail in some instances. The use of SfM as a complementary approach can therefore lead to a potential increase in evidential value.
三维（塑料）鞋印经常在犯罪现场或其附近发现，可能提供有价值的证据或情报。本文比较了传统的模具和/或二维摄影与运动结构（SfM）摄影测量学的方法。我们不仅关注类特征（鞋底花纹）的恢复，还关注由损坏引起的随机获取特征。我们研究了不同的恢复技术如何影响鞋底特征的可视化，并讨论了这可能对证据价值产生的影响。使用网格系统和英国常用的胎面描述符，对五双鞋及其在沙和土壤中产生的三维印痕进行了比较。我们的结论是，在本研究的限制范围内，SfM 摄影测量学可以更好地可视化类特征和随机获取特征，在某些情况下可以更详细地定义特征。因此，将 SfM 用作补充方法可以潜在地提高证据价值。
