Impressions Evidence Activity
Casting Shoe Impressions
• Materials: shoe box partially filled with soil, a
can of aerosol hair spray with a lacquer base
(spraying the lacquer carefully over the
impression will harden it) and varying shoe styles
& sizes.
• Using the instructions from the book and class
notes; create 6-8 shoe impressions (Use different
shoe sizes and shoe types. Then chart the (class
& Individual) characteristics that would be
identified by a forensic scientists for each
impression.
Tire Impressions
• Document (using photography) 6-8 tire mark
impressions from various locations in your
school, neighborhood or community. Then
chart the (class and/or Individual)
characteristics that would be identified by a
forensic scientists for each impression.
Bite Marks (Part 1)
• MATERIALS: Small Styrofoam plates, Permanent Markers,
Rulers, Assortment of soft candies (airheads, orange slices,
Laffy Taffy, gum etc.)
• Bend the plate in half so that the top of the plate is on the
inside. They label one half with
• "maxilla" and one half with "mandible”. Put the folded
plate into mouth and bite down on it to make a good
impression. DO NOT break through the plate. Unbend the
plate and use a ruler to make the required measurements
for width and depth of the impressions on both jaws. Note
any unique class and/or individual characteristics, such as
slanted teeth, spaces, evidence of braces.
Bite Marks (Part 2)
• Gently bite into each piece of candy or gum in
order to make an impression, but not too hard
to bite it in half. Record a rating for the quality
of the impression (poor, fair, good) along with
observations, such as candy sticking to teeth
or whether or not it was too hard/soft to
make a good impression. Repeat for a total of
6-8 impressions.