Currently the process of figuring out the model and type of a shoeprint found at a crime scene can be very labor intensive. A shoeprint expert has to perform a manual search through his own archives or start a search on internet. If no match is found often the help of colleagues is requested which is still no garantuee for a satisfactory answer. Overall this process is very time consuming, while it is important for the investigation to get the results as fast possible.
To overcome these issues HOBBIT has developed PRIDE which is an automatic shoeprint matcher. This system is build in conjuction with shoeprint experts and forensic intelligence departments from the Netherlands. The comparison of the shoeprints is fully automated and is based on the comparison of pictures, so no manual feature marking is required unlike other comparable systems on the market.
Another unique feature of PRIDE is the possibility to create a central database with shoe references and traces. This database can be shared throughout all your departments and locations, no need to create local files which are prone to duplication of information. Maintenance of the database can be centrally controlled by the built-in authorization options.
PRIDE offers the following four functionalities:
1. Compare shoeprints with the reference database with outsoles
The digitized image of a shoeprint can be used to perform a search for corresponding reference outsoles to determine the brand and model.
2. Compare reference outsoles with shoeprints found at crime scenes
The image of a reference outsole can be used to search through shoeprints found at crime scenes in order to find shoeprints that have been made by the same brand and model.
3. Create nationwide reference database for the storage of pictures of outsoles
References of outsoles can be used to quickly deduct what type of shoe left the print at the crime scene. Digitized pictures of outsoles shoes can be added to the PRIDE reference database. This may concern confiscated shoes but it can also be a shoe outsole image from a shoe manafacturer. When adding an image, it can also be enriched with other relevant information, for example the upper ware or a outworn sole.
4. Create nationwide database for the storage of crime scene shoeprints.
In the latest release of PRIDE it is also possible to collect shoeprints from crime scenes in a separate database. The functionality is comparable to that of the ‘normal’ reference database with outsoles. At this moment reference databases are available for shoes and car tires. PRIDE is constructed in such a way that it is possible to create reference files for other products as well, for instance firearms and tattoos.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information about PRIDE.