Comparing Reports with Actual Missing Persons’ Footwear

Search and rescue resources conduct missions for tens of thousands of persons annually. Visual trackers constitute one of many resources involved in searches for missing persons. Original research compares report details with actual find characteristics of 428 missing persons’ footwear (or lack thereof) from 1970 to 2024. Footwear report details such as type, brand, color, and size proved correct for 78%, 87%, 88%, and 91%, respectively, when missing persons were found. Paradoxical undressing, voluntary and involuntary removal, and cognitive impairments contributed to 25% of all subjects being found unshod. Data forms and a database were created to collect misper footwear information. A case study illustrates the beneficial application of footwear investigations. This new research provides a unique foundational understanding of how footwear information can be applied to search missions. KEY WORDS: Search and Rescue, Tracking, Shoe, Boot, Barefoot, Unshod, Signcutting