Which of the following is NOT a technique for recovering 2-D footwear impressions?

• A. Photograph with a scale
• B. Gel lifters
• C. Electrostatic dust lifter
• D. Ultraviolet illumination

Answer: (D)

Understanding how 2-D footwear impressions are recovered involves documenting or preserving the impression on a surface. Photographing with a scale provides a durable visual record with accurate size reference. Gel lifters capture impressions by applying a gel that adheres to and transfers the impression, creating a usable copy for analysis. Electrostatic dust lifters use static charge to lift surface dust and the impression on a medium, preserving details for examination. Ultraviolet illumination, on the other hand, is primarily a visualization aid that can highlight certain residues through fluorescence but does not itself produce a physical copy or lasting record of the impression, so it is not considered a direct recovery technique.