Investigator: Anne Chase

Crime scene: #1
Evidence being examined: Blood Spatter
Forensic science used: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA)
Summary of the Science:
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis has been used in criminal investigations for centuries. Blood
spatters have been recorded and used to determine the difference between homicides,
suicides, and accidents, reconstruction of the events of a crime, verification of
statements and involvement, what caused the wound, and other valuable information
about the crime. Although Bloodstain Pattern Analysis had been used in cases before,
Dr. Eduard Piotrowski, assistant at the Institute for Forensic Medicine in Krakow, Poland,
published the first systematic study of bloodstains in 1895. After this study was
published, other studies were created and were released. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is
critical forensic evidence used throughout the world.
Bloodstain patterns are reconstructive evidence as they are used to draw conclusions on
how the blood was shed. The spatter patterns and other marks the blood makes, assist
the investigators in recreating the events that occurred. Analysts can categorize the
spatters by the size, shape, distribution and location, and then interpret the creation of
the patterns. There are three different types of stains; passive, transfer, and projected
stains. Passive stains are a result from gravitational forces on an injured and bleeding
body and are drops, flows, or pools. Transfer stains are created when bloodstains come
in contact with other objects and are wipes, swipes, or pattern transfers. Projected
stains are a result of blood being projected forcefully, such as a gunshot, and are usually
spatters. When blood comes in contact with another surface, the shape of the stain is
determined based on speed, distance traveled, and the angle of the surface. Usually, the
stain will be a circular shape, elliptical shape, and have either tails or spines. By taking
measurements of the spatter and analyzing the direction of the tails and spines, the
investigators can determine the direction of travel and angle of impact. Void patterns
are created when an object is blocking the path of a pool of blood. These patterns can
help investigators determine if anything is missing from a scene like a body or weapon,
and the position of a person or people during the crime. By analyzing the bloodstain
patterns, often times the type of weapon and injury can be determined. Gunshot
injuries, sharp force injuries, and blunt force injuries can all potentially be determined
based on the bloodstain pattern. Spatter evidence is documented using high-resolution
photography, the removal of objects containing blood evidence to a lad, and the
collection of blood to create a DNA profile.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is the examination of the bloodstain evidence at a crime
scene, gathering information, documentation, conclusion and technical review. Analysis
is preformed in two phases, Pattern Analysis and Reconstruction.
Pattern Analysis takes the characteristics of the patterns including shape, size,
distribution, appearance, location and surface texture, is interpreted to create possible

events and actions may have caused them. Measurements of the spatters and the
analysis of the direction of the tails and spines, the direction of travel and angle of
impact can be determined. Reconstruction uses the data established data from the
Pattern Analysis to create explanations of the patterns. Analysts use the direction and
angle of the spatter to create the starting point of blood shed (convergence), and the
relation of the location of the victim and suspect at the point of blood shed (origin).
String is used to create a straight line through the individual drops following the angle of
impact. The point of intersection of the lines is the location of the victim when blood
was shed, the convergence. A similar method is used to determine the point of origin.
Height calculations are conducted creating a 3D estimate of victims location. This can
determine if the victim was sitting or standing at the time of bloodshed.
Today, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis has been advanced by the discovery of the chemical
Luminol. Chemical substances can be used to enhance and discover latent, invisible
under normal lighting, blood prints. When Luminol is sprayed on invisible blood, it
creates a bright blue luminescent glow, allowing investigators to photograph and
analyze the pattern.
Based on the analysis of the blood spatters, it can be determined that the victim was
most likely shot by another person. By determining the point of origin, it was clear the
victim was shot while laying face down on the table. Two points of origin were
discovered; one on the left side of the skull, and the other being on left arm. When the
bullet was shot, it went through the skull as well as the left arm. It is highly unlikely the
victim shot himself while in this position. The analysis of the trajectory of the bullet
confirmed the victim was shot while lying down. The determined angle of impact of 32.4
degrees confirmed the victim was not likely to have shot himself.

Sources Used:
(NFSTC), National Forensic Science Technology Center. "A Simplified Guide to Bloodstain
Pattern Analysis." A Simplified Guide To Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (n.d.): n. pag.
Www.crime-scene-investigator.net. Pearson Education, Inc. Web.
Brodbeck, Silke. "Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis." .SAIK (2012): n. pag.
Http://www.bmi.gv.at. Web