Short description:

Tire Tread and Tire Track Evidence presents practical methods for recovering, examining, and interpreting this evidence within the context of actual case studies.

Long description:

Police success in linking vehicles to the scene of a crime through the impressions and tracks those vehicles leave behind has long served as a successful and reliable forensic tool. The collection and forensic evaluation of that evidence, however, requires specialized knowledge, training, and expertise.
Drawing from the author?s 34 years of experience, first as an FBI examiner and currently as a private consultant in the area of tire evidence, Tire and Tire Track Evidence: Recovery and Forensic Examination is the most comprehensive and up-to-date volume available on the subject. Covering all aspects of the field, the book begins with general information on the modern pneumatic tire and basic terminology. For both the crime scene technician and the forensic examiner, the author addresses information on both how to recover tire track evidence and how to photograph and cast the individual tread detail from those impressions.
The book explains and illustrates the necessary information on obtaining known exemplars; tire manufacturing, and retreading tires. It explains important aspects of tires including their tread design and dimension, noise treatment, general wear and individual acquired characteristics. The author instructs on applying that knowledge while conducting a structured examination procedure, resulting in the final evaluation of evidence and report writing as well as the presentation of tire evidence in court. He provides information on databases and resources along with case examples, including the Oklahoma City bombing.
Informative and useful, this book gives crime scene technicians and forensic examiners the tools to accurately and reliably collect, recover, and examine tire evidence.

In Tire Tread and Tire Track Evidence: Recovery and Forensic Examination William J. Bodziak has crafted a sweeping, thorough treatment of every aspect of examinations and comparisons relating to tires. This comprehensive work integrates the hard, solid science and the subtle nuance of both procedural techniques and theoretical concepts. Bodziak articulately conveys the subjects clearly and unambiguously. From law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories to private examiners -- from district attorney offices to defense attorneys -- for anyone who documents, collects, evaluates, examines, or compares tires or tire prints or impressions -- Tire Tread and Tire Track Evidence: Recovery and Forensic Examination is the definitive resource.
? Rocky S. Stone, Albuquerque Police Department Crime Laboratory (retired), Forensic science private consultant

?This book is a must-have reference for any agency that compares, collects, or potentially could collect tire track evidence. 
?... I was pleasantly taken aback by how much I gleaned from reading this book.  I think any analyst who?s been doing this for a number of years will have the same experience.  For the experienced examiner, this book contains a great deal of information about tire manufacturing and how the various manufacturing processes can manifest themselves in the crime scene impressions ... .
?The book is well organized and thoroughly explains key details of both the collection and comparison processes. ...  Any agency that deals with tire track evidence on a regular basis ... will benefit from reading this book and having it as a reference.
?The book is illustrated with good quality color photographs and illustrations ...  useful tools for applying real world situations to what is being described in the book.
?The book also contains information about the most modern manufacturing techniques, and discusses issues relating to the most recent phenomenon in tire track comparisons: digital photography.
?...   I expect I?ll be using this book for reference for many years to come.?
? G. Matt Johnson, International Association for Identification, Science and Practices Subcommittee on Footwear and Tire Track Examination, Chairman

"?There is no doubt that any forensic examiner who works in the field of tire examination and comparison will find it imperative to add this to their library. ?  Photographs and step by step instructions will aid those of all levels of experience ? a thorough read of this book will bring any reader to a much greater understanding of the different degrees of tire impression conclusions and their potential value to an investigation.? Mr. Bodziak once again displays his great skill for attention to detail, comprehensive coverage and complete explanation of a forensic discipline.  There is no stone left unturned ? This book is a first rate publication and destined to be a must have for the shelves of every crime laboratory."

? Lesley Hammer, Supervisor, Forensic Physical Unit, Alaska DPS Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, writing in Science and Justice

Table of Contents:

General Tire Information. Track Evidence. Documenting and Recovering Tire Impression Evidence. Known Exemplars of Tires for Elimination and Examination. Tire Manufacturing. Retreaded Tires. Tread Design and Dimension. Tire Wear. Individual Characteristics. Examination Methodology and Procedure for Comparison of Tire Impressions. Presenting Tire Evidence in Court. Resources and Databases. Case Studies. The Tire Evidence in the Oklahoma City Bombing Case. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.