To properly document and collect footwear evidence, a number of specific tools and equipment is needed. In particular, a camera and a tape measure are required. A camera set on a tripod can be used to accurately capture the texture and size of tracks from different angles. Tape measures can further provide context to the evidence, and put the size into understandable perspective. When measuring, width, diameter and other qualities relevant to either foot or tire tracks should be recorded. Potential size and style of tires/footwear should also be recorded and written down.
Freehand simulation is a type of forgery that involves a person trying to write another person’s signature by themselves, without tracing the original. It is one of the more straightforward ways of faking a signature, and can be used to replicate a person’s signature either from memory or direct reference. I have tried to utilize this method for myself, but the process has turned out to be far more difficult than anticipated. When simulating while seeing a real signature, it was hard to concentrate on making the forgery appear natural, as most of my concentration went to replicating it’s curves. The end result looked more stiff than the original and the pressure was put on wrong parts. The pen line looked even from every part, making it feel more intentional than intended. When forging from memory, I ran into similar problems. As an added complication, I had trouble keeping the curvature and lettering as accurate to the original as I had hoped. I think that this method is not ideal, as it relies purely on a person’s skill in faking signatures.