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Use of Bare Footprints as evidence in UK Courts in 1991

On the 3rd July 1991 an unknown male attacked a 46 year old female in her home in Leigh Woods a district of Bristol, United Kingdom. After a short period of time in the house the male attacker assaulted and raped the victim in her bedroom until she escaped from her house. The suspect escaped from the house in an unknown direction.

An Avon & Somerset Police investigation ensued with the investigation being let by Superintendent Bryan Saunders and Detective Inspector Marston Dufty. These investigators called for the support of Forensic Crime Scene Investigators (CSI's) Allan Clarke and James O'Connor. A painstaking extensive examination was made of the premises by these CSI's and a large amount of forensic evidence was recovered during their examination over a two day period. One interesting piece of evidence ware traces of a bare footprint located on the floor of the kitchen area.

Unfortunately a family celebration had taken place a few days earlier. In this event it was believed several visitors had apparently walked bare foot in this kitchen area. The investigation started a laborious process to identify some 50 persons who may have left bare footprints on the floor area who needed to be eliminated from the investigation. In this tracing procedure it was found that these visitors had travelled home to locations around the world including Vienna and the United States of America.

Meanwhile detectives continued to investigate any likely suspect that may be responsible for this offence. One month later a suspect Stephen Tomkinson was questioned about the incident. During his interview a copy of his bare footprints were made and later submitted to Avon & Somerset fingerprint unit.

This fingerprint unit identified one of these crime scene footprints by finding 150 characters that were identical as belonging to Stephen Tomkinson. He was arrested and charged with burglary, assault and rape.

Tomkinson was tried at Bristol Crown Court and convicted on all charges. It was recognised that the use of Bare Footprints was the first time this type of forensic evidence was used in British Courts. Tomkinson was committed to 14 years in prison.

Forensic Experts Allan Clarke and James O'Connor were later commended by Avon & Somersets Chief Constable for their excellent work.