Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course

Course Objectives.Upon completion of the course the student should:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the development, history and advancement of bloodstain pattern analysis.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the inherent limitations of bloodstain pattern analysis.
• Recognize key bloodstain patterns and understand the mechanism by which they are created
• Determine impact angles for individual bloodstains.
• Determine a probable point of convergence for a group of bloodstains.
• Demonstrate the ability to combine point of convergence with impact angle to locate the probable point of origin for a given blood spatter event.
• Recognize proper protective measures to follow in a bloodstained scene.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the methods of documenting bloodstain scenes, both photographically and in written format.
• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate a basic bloodstain pattern scene.

Day One

0800-1030 Introduction. Discussion of course objectives, pre-test and a discussion on the history of bloodstain pattern analysis.

1030-1130 Utilization of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Investigations.An overview discussion of how bloodstain pattern analysis assists the investigative process.

1300-1400 Terminology Lecture. Lecture to orient students with current accepted terminology using slides of stains to support specific terms

1400-1500 Dynamics Lecture. Lecture on blood droplet dynamics in flight and on impact. Providing the student with an understanding of the medium of blood and how physical laws affect blood.

1500-1630 Documentation Lecture. Lecture on the process of documenting bloodstain patterns, specifically outlining the "Roadmapping"method. Discussion of personal protective measures in a crime scene

Day Two

Preread Chapters 1-3 of the lab manual.

0800-0900 Determining Directionality Lecture. Lecture on establishing basic motion as defined by the stain.

0900-1530 Experiments 1, 2, 3, 8, 10

1530-1600 Daily Recap

Day Three

Preread Chapter 5 of the lab manual. Bring scientific calculators and measuring devices to class if you have them.

0800-0900 Impact Angle Calculations. Lecture on defining angle of impact.

0900-1000 Impact Angle Group Practical. Small groups work with and minor axis, prepared stains to learn how to find the major measure the stain properly and utilize the impact angle formula.

1000-1130 Determining Point of Origin Lecture. Lecture on point of origin determinations using various methods (e.g. Tangent formula, stringing , graphing). Paper practical used to demonstrate graphing.

1300-1400 Point of Origin Practical. Individual practical in which the students , using lab manual practicals , establish the point of origin.

1400-1530 Point of Origin Practical. Student groups of four and five establish point of origin determinations on large acetate stain patterns

1530-1630 Tracks, Strings, Backtrack Win Demonstrations. Demos of various forensic software packages and their function in assisting the investigator.

Day Four

0800-0900 Evaluating Impact Spatter - Issues of Force. Lecture on evaluating what type of force may have been involved in a given event , based upon impact spatter. Discussion on the use of terms such as Low, Medium, and High velocity.

0910-1500 Experiments 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

1500-1600 Case Practical . Groups complete an analysis of a case practical ,if time permits, then discuss what the group identified. Using the practicals solution, short lecture on bloodstain written report formats

1600-1700 Presenting Bloodstain Evidence inCourt. Discussion on developing qualifying questions for court and general considerations when testifying as an expert.

Day Five

0800-1400 Mock Scenes. Groups evaluate mock scenes and establish, based on all information known, a reconstruction of the events related to the scene. Each group then walks the other groups through their scene and provides an explanation on their conclusions

1400-1500 Final examination.

1500-1600 Diploma presentations and closing remarks.