The understanding of blood spatter patterns is not a widely recognized forensic practice. Bloodstain pattern interpretation (BPI) is commonly used in murder investigations, but could be utilized in everything from simple assault to mass murders if the number of trained professionals increased. BPI can reveal critical information into reinventing a given crime scene. Everything from the number of blows, stabs or shots a victim was given, the movement that was undergone by the victim and assailant after bloodshed began, position of objects at the crime scene and the type of weapon, if any, that was used can be uncovered. Blood differs from water in that it is a less viscous liquid. The teardrop that is formed by rain is not formed by …show more content…
It is flung off the weapon or tool during and after the act as a result of centrifugal force. Cast-off spatter is often elliptical in shape which is why it is easily confused with arterial spurting (Sutton, 1998). However, it can also resemble a typical medium velocity droplet any time the blood hits a surface. For example, a blow to the top of the head with an over head strike or simply cast off forming from blood dripping off a weapon after use will result in a similar pattern to a medium or low velocity droplet. Smooth metallic weaponry used will generate a more profound pattern than a textured weapon. In other words an aluminum baseball bat will yield a greater amount of cast off blood than a wooden baseball bat. All these elements are important in uncovering the truth behind a crime scene, and in a controlled environment seem simple. Implementing these techniques in an actual situation is more difficult as crime scenes are all unique. A multitude of elements need to be considered before forming an opinion from blood spatter. Spot size, quantity, shape, distribution, location, AOI, and target surface are only a few of these elements. As with other types of forensic science negative evidence can be used in BPI. Void is the absence of blood spatter in an otherwise continuous pattern. This leads evidence leads us to believe that an object or person has blocked the blood from striking the surface observed. Judging from
Physical evidence left behind at a crime scene plays a crucial role in reconstructing the events that took place involving the crime. Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is a discipline which utilizes the sciences of biology, physics, and mathematics. Bloodstain interpretation may be accomplished by direct scene evaluation and/or careful study of scene photographs in conjunction with detailed examination of clothing, weapons, and other objects regarded as physical evidence. The location, spreading, and appearance of bloodstains and spatters can be useful for interpreting and reconstructing the events that produced the bleeding. An investigator or bloodstain pattern analyst can decipher from individual bloodstains the direction and angle
crime scene could be analyzed and compared with a sample from a suspect. A match could place
Blood vessels are hollow (this hollow space is called the lumen) so as to allow the blood to pass through. They are also lined with endothelium, which prevents the clotting of the blood that passes through.
Blood spatter analysts are a crucial part of a homicide investigation. They examine the blood stains left behind at a crime scene with the help of criminal investigators. They try to find a pattern or trail with the blood to figure out what happened at the crime scene. These blood patterns can show where the victim was hit, how they were hit, if they struggled, and what kind of weapon the killer used. They use many techniques to collect evidence that can be analyzed at the lab. Common techniques are measuring the diameter of the blood drop, measuring the spatter zone, and taking pictures. Many analysts try to act out the homicide scene to piece together the crime scene and figure out what happened. They also sketch out the scene to go along
he Blood Spatter Analyst (also known as "Bloodstain Pattern Analyst") uses many techniques to collect and analze blood that has been left behind at a crime scene. They uses swabs and ultraviolet light, as well as photgraphy to collect and analyze trace evidence and recreate spatters. After analyzation of the spatter, they can determine what weapon was used, which direction the suspect or victim went, the number of wounds the victim suffered, the trajectry of a projectile, and what occured during a violent crime.
It was determined that both Sam and Marilyn Sheppard were grouped to have Type A blood but two spots that were found were not Type A. The first spot which was the largest blood spot in the bedroom was found on the closet door near Marilyn’s bed. The second spot of blood was on the knee of Sam Sheppard’s trouser pants. Both spots of blood were examined and determined that they were Type O blood. Dr. Kirk in court testified that the blood that was found on the closet door did not belong to either Sam or
On the other hand blood spatter on a rough surface creates a blood stain with japed edges. Also Blood strains spread more in softer surfaces. Blood usually makes a spherical shape after separating from the blood source, this shape caused by the surface tension of the blood. The blood drop to pull itself in; both horizontally and vertically due to its surface tension, and will maintain its shape until it collides with something. Blood usually will not break unless acted on by a force, and the force has to be great enough to overcome surface tension. When a drop of blood hits the floor at a 90 degree angle the spatter will be round. A low-velocity spatter will be dependent on height, when distance fallen increases the blood spatter will
how without blood we humans can 't truly live. So when Antonio says “my river” he 's talking
Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA), known in the criminal justice field as blood splatter analysis, has been studied since the 1890s. Blood splatter, or bloodstain pattern constructional readings, is a technique that seeks to piece together the incident that caused an individual’s bleeding. Understanding blood splatter on a wall or various surfaces can be instrumental in formulating if a crime was committed and if the blood discovered at the crime scene can be used as evidence. The first documentation of blood splatter research occurred at the Institute for Forensic Medicine in Poland, by Dr. Eduard Piotrowski . During Dr. Piotrowski’s research and documentation period, where he used live bunnies to research blood splatter from head
Forensic science is a key aspect of Criminal Justice that helps rid the streets of lunatics and murderers. One of the most important fields of forensic science is blood spatter analysis. Under the Crime Scene Investigation, analysts gather the information that could eventually lead to a victim’s killer. Basic and complex information can be found when analyzing blood. We can learn what kind of weapon was used, the time of death of a victim and other important facts that can help a case. The pattern that the blood gives off give forensic scientists the tools that they need to help solve cases.
lood. Sticky, hot, messy, awful blood. For most of us, the sight of it turns the stomach, but in the court of law, blood can tell a lot more about a crime scene than you might think. Forensic bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is the interpretation of bloodstains for the purpose of reconstructing the events that took place in the case of violent crimes. Using the sciences of fluid dynamics and trigonometry, BPA examiners form opinions about what did or did not happen by examining elements of the stains such as the size, shape, distribution and location of the bloodstains. Following the analysis of the crime scene, BPA examiners then prepare to present often-critical evidence to a jury in the court of law. “In many cases including here in Australia BPA is essential and pivotal to the investigation” and can contribute greatly to the outcome of a criminal trial under South Australian law.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines blood first and foremost as “The red fluid flowing in the arteries, capillaries, and veins of humans and other vertebrates, carrying oxygen and nutrients to, and carbon dioxide and waste metabolites away from, the organs and tissues of the body. Also (as a count noun): the blood of an individual, species, etc.” (OED). This is the the immediate definition that comes to mind when I take this word into consideration, likely because when you are injured it is the first thing you think of. If hurt, a person often first checks themselves over for any sign of blood, and if they find that they are not they may turn to a friend and ask ‘Am I bleeding?’ It is how we determine if the injury requires special attention
The book gives a general overview of the field of forensic science. The sections of the book include “The Scene of the Crime; Working the Scene--The Evidence; Working the Scene of the Body Human;
Blood spatter analysis is a very important and time-consuming part of the crime scene investigation process. Blood spatter is a key component to have during a crime scene because it can answer so many questions about the scene itself. “The interpretation of blood spatter patterns and other evidence at crime scenes may reveal critically important information such as the positions of the victim, assailant, and objects at the scene; the type of weapon that was used to cause the spatter; the number of blows, shots, stabs, etc. that occurred; and the movement and direction of the victim and assailant after bloodshed began. It may also support or contradict statements given by witnesses” (Akin 2005).
Cast-Off Spatter or the pattern of the blood as it is flung from an object covered in blood causing an arcing pattern on a nearby surface. Castoff patterns