Examination and Comparison of Footwear Evidence
April 8-12, 2013
Cost: $495
Hosted by Prince William County Police Department, Manassas, VA
This course is approved by the International Association for Identification as credits towards
certification and re-certification
This training course is designed to present a series of interactive lectures using PowerPoint, Adobe
Photoshop, and various other software programs. This training session will provide an overview with both
lecture and hands on exercises of the proper methods and techniques in the examination and comparison
of footwear evidence. There will be various discussions related to the proper techniques and
methodologies in the examination and comparison process. There will be heavy discussions on the
manufacturing of outsoles and how it pertains to the comparison process. Numerous practical exercises
both in class and outside of the classroom are utilized and implemented to emphasize and critique the
skills of the students to properly perform this level of training in footwear science. After each exercise the
student’s work will be critiqued and measured.
Course Topics:
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History of Footwear Science
Manufacturing of Footwear
The Anatomy of the Human Foot
Why Footwear Evidence is Overlooked
Understanding Comparison Terms
Understanding the Comparison Process
Comparative Examinations
Decision Making in the Comparison of Footwear Impression Evidence
Case Note Preparation & Report Writing
Legal Considerations & Courtroom Testimony
Shoe Print Date Base Systems
Who Should Attend?
This comprehensive, 40 hour course is designed for the criminal evidence analysts and forensic
scientists with the responsibility for examining and comparing footwear impression evidence and
for those wishing to start a career in the examination and comparison of footwear evidence.
Hotel Information:
Hampton Inn
Gainesville, VA
703-753-1500
Class Location:
Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy
13101 Public Safety Drive
Nokesville, VA 20181
About your Instructor:
Dwane Hilderbrand, M.Ed
CLPE, CFWE, CSCSA
Scottsdale, Arizona
Dwane Hilderbrand began his distinguished criminal justice career in 1975 with his employment in the
Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, located in Washington, D.C. In 1978 he
accepted a position as Identification Technician with the Prince William County Police Department in
Woodbridge, Virginia, where he was employed until 1981, when he was offered a forensic identification
and crime scene position with the Scottsdale, Arizona Police Department. Dwane dedicated the
remainder of his government career to the development of his advanced technical analytical and
testimonial skills and retired in October of 2005 with twenty-four years of service to the citizens of
Scottsdale, Arizona. He was the main instructor for Ron Smith & Associates, Incorporated for this
particular class until 2009 when Dwane made the decision to open and manage his own private forensic
consulting and training business.
Subsequent to Dwane’s studies in Police and Forensic Science, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in
Management from the University of Phoenix followed by a Master’s Degree in Education from Northern
Arizona University. He is one of the very few forensic professionals in the world who has earned
professional certifications from the International Association for Identification as a “Certified Latent Print
Examiner”, “Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst” and “Certified Footwear Examiner”. He was recently
awarded Member Emeritus to the American Society of Forensic Podiatry.
Dwane Hilderbrand, a P.O.S.T. certified instructor, has been invited to speak on a wide variety of forensic
related topics at professional conferences across the United States and abroad. His famous “involve them
and they will learn” teaching style has made him one of the most sought after instructors in the criminal
justice profession.
He was one of three Americans invited to be a presenter at the first International Shoeprint conference
held in Finland. Dwane was responsible for the first computerized Automated Shoeprint Identification
System with Scottsdale Police Department. He was also responsible for the footwear and tire track
evidence and the latent print examiners training and procedure manuals. Dwane has assisted in many
footwear cases throughout the United States as well as Jamaica and the Anguilla Islands.
This particular seminar, “Examination and Comparison of Footwear Evidence” is one of Dwane’s most
educational and enjoyable courses of instruction. He has done extensive research on the topic and has
developed a methodology of teaching criminal justice professionals from all aspects of law enforcement
on how to properly and effectively collection and preserve track evidence. He understands the needs of
the beginning footwear examiner and he is able to assist them in reaching their goal. He is able to supply
the student with the necessary information in such a way that it is not only understandable but also
enjoyable. Dwane is an accomplished expert instructor in this area of examination and comparison
Contact for Further Information: Forensic ITC Services at ForensicITC@cox.net