National Footwear Reference Collection (NFRC) is a database of nationally named shoe pattern types that provide evidence showing that a foot mark at a crime scene originates from a specific make or shoe type.

The NFRC uses a nationally agreed common coding system for identifying different types and models of footwear and associated footwear templates. The database has been fully funded by the NPIA and is available free of charge to all police forces in England and Wales.

Following successful pilots in Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Norfolk constabularies during early 2009, the NFRC went live at the beginning of April in Avon and Somerset alongside the four pilot forces and already has over 10,000 footwear pattern types. Roll out nationally is taking place in three stages and will complete by the end of 2009.

Since July 2009 the NPIA have been measuring the successes and intelligence value of the NFRC in order to encourage all police forces to use footwear as a key tool in the detection of crime.

Strategic policing links:

Crime reduction, data efficiency and increased performance.

Improvements expected from the use of the NFRC:

• Common coding and pattern naming standards
• Provision of a national footwear reference collection.

Planned delivery:

Footwear stage one training - to complete by March 2010.
NFRC go live in three stages - to complete by end 2009.

For further information on the NFRC, email us.