What should be examined regarding shoe or tire marks at a crime scene?

The examination of shoe or tire marks at a crime scene focuses on their direction and pattern because these aspects provide crucial information about the movement of individuals or vehicles involved in the crime. Analyzing the direction can help determine where the person or vehicle came from and where they may have gone, which can be pivotal in reconstructing the events of the crime.

Patterns are equally important as they can reveal distinctive tread designs that may be linked to specific brands or types of shoes or tires. This information can potentially connect a suspect to the scene or indicate the presence of a particular vehicle. As such, understanding the pattern and direction helps establish timelines and sequences of events that are vital in an investigation.

While depth, clarity, size, color, and quantity can offer additional context, they do not provide the same level of detailed insight into the actions and movements that occurred at the crime scene. Therefore, focusing on direction and pattern is key in forensic analysis of shoe and tire marks.