​Instructor: Sharon Plotkin, EDD, CCSI
Course length:  3 Days (24 hours)

Documentation and Collection of Impression Evidence

On crime scenes, impression evidence could be present which could include shoe wear, tire impressions and bite mark evidence for example. This valuable evidence can assist in successfully linking people, vehicles and evidence to one another and to crime scenes. However, challenges are faced by law enforcement personnel to successfully document this evidence through effective photography and sketching techniques, as well as successfully casting this evidence for the possibility of identification to known standards.
 
Learning Goals:
​At the completion of this three-day workshop, attendees will have been introduced to proper documentation of impression evidence using important lighting methods as well as sketching techniques. Attendees will also be introduced to the different techniques in the collection of impression evidence through casting, gel lifters, Mikrosil and inking of tires.
 
Schedule:
Day One - 8 hours: Documenting crime scenes with impression evidence
  • Documenting crime scenes with impression evidence
  • Camera operations/ depth of field
  • Hands-on practicum: Camera operations and settings
  • Hands-on practicum:  photography and depth of field
 
Day Two- 8 hours: Impression evidence
  • Documenting crime scenes with oblique lighting and sketching methodology
  • Hands-on practicum: Photography using oblique lighting of impression evidence
  • Hands-on practicum: casting impression evidence, use of gel lifters for impressions in dust
  • Hands-on practicum: Mikrosil for collection of bitemark and other indented/ impressed evidence
  • 3D technology demonstration (FARO or Trimble)
  • Hands-on practicum: Demonstration of 3D technology
 
 
Day Three - 8 hours: Tire impression evidence
  • Tire impression evidence photography, sketching, and collection methodology of this evidence
  • Hands-on practicum: Photography and sketching of tire impression evidence
  • Hands-on practicum: Inking and other methods for tire impression standards
  • Evaluations and certificates
 
Attendees need to bring photography equipment, tripods, and flashlights.
Sharon Plotkin, EDD, CCSI
Holding Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, and an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology, Sharon Plotkin is currently seeking a doctoral degree in education.

Sharon has received specialized training in various fields of crime scene investigations, including bloodstain reconstruction, photography, crime scene reconstruction, fingerprinting, shoe wear casting and other various topics. She is certified in crime scene investigations and has been doing crime scene work for almost 21 years.

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