Creating a plaster cast | Back

Quicktime movie showing creation of a plaster cast

Where a footprint is found in a soft surface, the impression is filled with plaster. Plaster powder is available at any hardware store and is simply mixed with water and poured in.

The plaster dries in an hour or two and can be lifted out. If the surface was reasonably firm then the ridges and bumps left by sole of the foot will be transferred to the plaster, allowing a comparison to be made between the cast and a suspect's shoe.

Lightly swabbing the handle with a cotton bud will collect enough body material to allow an effective analysis.