ONE of the world’s leading forensic footwear experts has been working with Lancashire Constabulary to deliver his first course in the UK.

Former FBI agent William J Bodziak delivered The Examination of Footwear Mark Evidence course at the force headquarters in Hutton.

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Mr Bodziak is acknowledged as one of the leading forensic footwear practitioners in the world.

He is the author of the world renowned textbooks titled Footwear Impression Evidence: Detection, Recovery and Examination and Tire Tread And Tire Track Evidence.

Danyela Kellett, head of Lancashire Constabulary’s footwear unit, said she was delighted such a high profile speaker had taken time to speak to officers at the force.

She said: “This is a real coup for Lancashire Constabulary. Normally Mr Bodziak runs courses in the United States and this is the first time he has delivered a course in the UK.”

The course was attended by footwear experts from 10 different police forces, including Police Service Northern Ireland and the College of Policing.

The course focused on the examination of footwear mark evidence, including information on the manufacturing of footwear, enhancement of impressions and evidence recovery methods.

Mr Bodziak’s forensic analyses and testimonies include famous cases such as the OJ Simpson criminal and civil trials and the McVeigh and Nichols Oklahoma bombing trials. The specialist, who is now retired from the FBI, was assigned to the questioned document section of the the American internal security agency laboratory for approximately 25 years.