Progressive examination of footwear outsoles throughout a 24-week police training academy

This study investigated the progression of general wear and Randomly Acquired Characteristics (RACs) on footwear outsoles during a 24-week police academy training program. Thirty-two police recruits wore the same model of tactical boots in similar conditions, including activities, terrain, and weather. The Rhode Island State Police Forensic Services Unit photographed the outsoles of each pair in 10 sessions. Boot lugs were categorized into 32 regions for detailed analysis. Visual examination and measurements of wear patterns for class (general wear) and RACs were assessed for repeatability or randomness. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were calculated for each boot, size group, lug, and region. Significant higher wear patterns were observed in men's vs. women's boots and right boots vs. left boots. These findings also show rapid wear of similar footwear outsoles during strenuous activities, revealing higher wear in the lateral perimeter and heal regions. They are consistent with previous studies and contribute to the limited body of research on footwear in controlled conditions.