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Cops' print database is a shoe-in

Who's going to foot The Bill?

Tags: shoe, police, footprint

By Jo Best

Published: 30 January 2007 15:05 GMT

Crime scene investigation techniques are taking new strides it seems, with the launch of a UK-wide footwear database designed to help cops track down criminals.

The database, which will launch next month and be rolled out across the country from March, will store imprints of thousands of types of shoes, as well as prints from suspects' footwear and footprints left at crime scenes.

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The database has been developed by the Forensic Science Service and will automatically search for matches between shoeprints and crimes, in much the same way as the UK's DNA database cross-references DNA samples from those who have been arrested to samples linked to crimes.

The database will be able to record footprints left in a variety of surfaces, including in carpets, to help track down perpetrators.

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Tut tut. You mean "shoo-in". Expect a call from ...
Graham West

That will keep the crim's on their toes.
Paula Ratcliffe

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