Final answer:
The statement is false as dinosaur footprints are usually identified via the actual impressions in sedimentary layers rather than underprints, which can be distorted and offer less precise information about the dinosaur that made them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement, 'The easiest way to identify a dinosaur footprint is to collect its underprint,' is false. Dinosaur footprints are often identified by the impression they leave in sedimentary layers, which over time harden into rock and may preserve the details of the footprint. These impressions are considered the actual footprints of dinosaurs, whereas underprints can be more difficult to interpret. Underprints form when sediment collapses beneath a footprint, creating a somewhat distorted copy of the original print on a lower layer. Therefore, the underprints might not display the precise features of the print and could be hard to attribute to a specific dinosaur without additional evidence.
When identifying dinosaur footprints, paleontologists like those depicted in the reference using a plaster jacket would more readily study the direct impressions captured in the rock surface. This method ensures that they analyze the actual shape and detail of the dinosaur's foot imprint. Fossils are generally identified through careful excavation, documenting rock layers, and analyzing the morphology of the imprints. Utilizing plaster casts allows for the preservation of the footprint’s exact shape, which can be essential for recognizing the species that made it and for understanding their behavior and environment during their time.