These tests are designed to assess a participant's proficiency in the identification of tire track marks to an original tire source. High resolution images of a tire, known collected exemplars, and questioned imprints are provided to participants for comparison purposes. Participants are asked to determine if the suspect tire could have produced the questioned imprints. Results are reported using the SWGTREAD 7-point scale of conclusions. The samples are available in a choice of physically printed images or as a digitally downloadable file.

The images are the same for all formats.

Test 5351 consists of physically printed images and test 5355 is only available online as a digitally downloadable file.

Test 5355 images are transmitted via a digital download from a zip folder (.tif format). Due to large file sizes, advanced photo image software may be required to open and view these images. Participants are not limited to conducting only on-screen comparisons and may employ any other method. However, because of differences in printing technology, CTS cannot guarantee the quality of images printed from the digital media.

These tests include supplemental material which contains an additional set of known inked exemplars, accessible through a download link (a second link for Test 5355) on the CTS customer portal data entry form. While the primary sample set contains all materials necessary to complete the test as presented, the supplemental is intended to bolster participant confidence in their conclusions. Participants must claim a test on the portal to have access to all test materials uploaded to the data entry form.

Response forms for Tests 5351 and 5355 are only available on www.cts-portal.com as well as the supplemental material and the test samples for Test 5355. The information necessary to access the test materials will be provided via e-mail to the primary contact on file on the day of the test release.

This test is included on CTS' Scope of Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17043.

Test materials ship/are made available in July. All formats are released at the same time and contain the same images; reporting aspects of all formats are also combined.

Enrollment deadline: 15 March 2025