LONDON, (Reuters):

Britain is launching a footwear intelligence database next month, which will contain images of thousands of types of shoes, to track down criminals.

It will be similar to the DNA database of genetic samples that Britain created in 1995 which now has millions of profiles.

"Footwear marks at the scene are the second-biggest evidence type behind blood and DNA," said Dr Romelle Piercy, of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in London.

The FSS, formerly part of the Home Office and now a government-owned company, will launch the Footwear Intelligence Tool (FIT) on February 15. It is thought to be the first of its kind in the world.

Like fingerprints, hair, blood or fibres, footprints are left at many crime scenes, often unknowingly, by the criminal. The imprint and marks of a particular shoe can provide vital clues.

FORENSIC SCIENCE

Footwear prints and marks from crime scenes and information from manufacturers will be loaded on to the database, which will be updated daily. They have already been used to track down suspected bombers and in major criminal cases.

"The technology, like the DNA database, has no upper limits as far I am aware," Piercy told reporters. "We will be putting all the current footwear we currently hold in the Forensic Science Service on the database."

The database will include information on the type of shoe, colour, branding and marks. It will also include demographic information.

"For example, at the moment we hold over a thousand different marks for Nike trainers," said Piercy, adding that the popular brand is a favourite with criminals.

The comparison between the database sample and a cast or photograph of the footwear mark from the crime scene can be made automatically.

"It can compare against a type of footwear that is on the database to allow police to have some idea of the type of shoe that made that mark," Piercy said.