Led by University of Staffordshire and West Yorkshire Police, When All is Tread and Done is exploring new forensic techniques to help identify criminals by their shoes.
Project lead Professor Claire Gwinnett explained: “While CCTV, body-worn cameras and mobile footage is increasingly used in criminal investigations, suspects often cover their faces.
“Shoes, however, can be a distinguishing feature in CCTV footage or images and that is what our research is focussed on.”
The first phase of the project has already received national recognition, winning an award for project leadership from the Police Chief Scientific Advisor and “Innovation in Policing” at the West Yorkshire Annual Policing Awards. It is also the only initiative to receive three consecutive rounds of funding from the Police STAR Fund.
As part of this work, the team developed a fast and affordable method to capture images of trainers under both white and infrared light to simulate CCTV conditions. These scans allow forensic experts to study the shoe upper characteristics.
Using this method, 1,000 shoes from members of the public were collected and scanned. For the final phase of the project, the team is inviting the public to participate in an online trainer identification quiz based on these images.
Members of the public who are interested in taking this a step further also have the opportunity to participate in experiments where they will try to identify trainers appearing in mock CCTV footage.
Professor Gwinnett said: “This is a short, fun quiz that anybody can complete – you don’t need to be a trainer enthusiast to take part! Participants will be asked to identify makes and models of trainers, helping us to understand how people recognise specific brands and characteristics.”
The ultimate aim is to roll out new technology into operational policing, providing forensic practitioners with fast, reliable tools to compare footwear seen in images to known brands.
Research Assistant Dr Megan Needham added: “After three years of funded research, we have taken the idea of using footwear uppers as evidence from early-stage concept to operational reality. The next step is raising awareness — ensuring that this pioneering approach is recognised and adopted, so its full evidential value can make a difference in practice.”
Can you tell your Nike from your New Balance? Take the quiz now.
Email megan.needham2@staffs.ac.uk for more information on how to take part in further experiments related to the research.