Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Dr. Jason Linville UAB – Spring 2005

Summary What is Blood? Determining Distance of Blood Determining Direction of Blood Types of Blood Stain Patterns

What is Blood?

Introduction to Blood

Blood Spatter Blood drops form different shapes and sizes Blood spatter analysis uses the shapes and sizes to reconstruct the crime scene.

Blood Spatter Determining Distance Blood Falls Blood drops fall as small spheres

Blood Spatter Determining Distance Blood Falls Drops form circle when hitting surface Size depends on speed of blood drop

Blood Spatter Determining Distance Blood Falls Faster drop = larger diameter (size) Higher distance = larger diameter Due to air resistance, speed maxes out at distances above about 7 feet

Blood Spatter Determining Distance Blood Falls However, size of drop also depends on the volume of the drop. Volume depends on object blood originated from (needle = small; bat = large)

Blood Spatter Determining Distance Blood Falls Since the volume of blood in a drop is unknown… The distance a drop has fallen cannot be measured.

Blood Spatter Effect of Surface Smooth surface = smooth sphere Rough/porous surface may cause some splatter

Blood Spatter Determining Direction of Blood Narrow end of a blood drop will point in the direction of travel.

Blood Spatter Determining Direction of Blood If more than one drop (from spatter) results, the point of origin can be determined

Blood Spatter Determining Direction of Blood If more than one drop (from spatter) results, the point of origin can be determined

Blood Spatter Determining Direction of Blood This is a 2-dimensional point of origin. It is possible to determine the 3-D point of origin

Blood Spatter Determining Direction of Blood The angle can be determined mathematically. Width/Length, then take the inverse sin (sin -1 ). This number is the impact angle (90 = perpendicular to surface; <10 at a sharp angle)

Blood Spatter  For each blood drop, a string can be guided back to the point of origin.

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter Spattered Blood = random distribution of bloodstains that vary in size Amount of blood and amount of force affect the size of blood spatter. Can result from gunshot, stabbing, beating

Blood Spatter Spattered Blood can: Help determine the location of the origin of the blood source. Help determine the mechanism which created the pattern.

Blood Spatter Spattered Blood In general, for higher impacts, the pattern is more spread out and the individual stains are smaller.  Low impact = beating  High impact = gunshot

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter Gunshot Spatter = can result in a mist-like spatter that indicates a gunshot. Not all gunshots will result in misting. If misting is present, it is most likely a gunshot.

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter (gunshot) Gunshots result in back spatter (where bullet enters) and forward spatter ( where bullet exits).

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter Beating and Stabbing Spatter = larger individual stains First blow usually doesn’t result in spatter since there is not yet any exposed blood.

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter Satellite Spatter = Free falling drops of blood that fall onto a spatter pattern. These drips are usually much larger than impact spatter. However, blood dripping into blood can create a spatter.

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter Castoff Pattern = Blood flung off of swinging object. Can reconstruct where assailant and victim were positioned.

Blood Spatter Types of Spatter Expirated Bloodstain Pattern = Blood can accumulate in lungs, sinuses, and airway. Forcibly exhaled. Can appear like beating or gunshot pattern. May be mixed with saliva or nasal secretions.

Blood Spatter Alteration of bloodstain over time Blood dries and clots over time. Difficult to estimate the time the blood exited the body. Clotted smears can indicate time of movement