Abstract

Foot impressions, both 2D and 3D are valuable physical evidence found in crime scenes for person identification. Footprints are used to estimate stature, living body weight and gender. Some investigators underestimated the value of footprint evidence and ignored during evidence collection process. This case study presents a real crime scene investigation in India wherein an unknown person who have maliciously destructed the grape plantation by cutting the trunk of the grapevine plantation, belonged to a farmer in the village. The offender was identified through 3D footprints left in the plantation field. In the court trial, the Honourable Judge accepted the testimony of the footprint evidence and the case ended with conviction.

Keywords: Case report; Crime scene investigation; Malicious destruction; Plantation; 3D footprint