Episode 263 | Just Footwear Forensics to Further Investigations

Original Release Date: October 20, 2023

In episode 3 of our Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Laura Matson, an Advanced Latent Print and Footwear Examiner with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories, to discuss the value of providing footwear investigative leads.

Footwear impressions are commonly found in crime scenes; however, these impressions can be difficult to detect and collect which leads to the underutilization of footwear evidence. While traditional footwear analysis compares unknown impressions to a known shoe, footwear investigative leads provide the makes and models of shoes that may have created the unknown impression. Listen along as Laura describes using footwear investigative leads to accelerate an investigation, how her team is developing an internal footwear database, and advice for other agencies that want to further utilize footwear evidence.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (Award #: 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU).

Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Just Science · Just Footwear Forensics To Further Investigations

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Episode Citation

McKay, J. & Matson, L. (2023, October 20). Just Science. Just Footwear Forensics to Further Investigations. [Audio podcast episode]. The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. https://forensiccoe.org/podcast-2023-case-studies-ep3/

Related Resources

Guest Biography

Laura Matson is an Advanced Latent Print and Footwear Examiner with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories, located in Madison, Wisconsin. Ms. Matson has over 20 years of forensic experience in processing, analysis, and comparisons in latent prints and footwear, including footwear investigative lead examinations. Laura obtained her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is a Certified Latent Print Examiner with the International Association for Identification.

Episode 263 | Just Footwear Forensics to Further Investigations

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