Science & Technology 11

http://science.howstuffworks.com/bloodstain-pattern-analysis.htm

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/july2009/standards/2009_04_standards01.htm#terms

http://www.bloodspatter.com/analyze-a-case

What is blood splatter analyst and what do you need to know about it?

a blood splatter analyst uses bloodstains as evidence to figure out what exactly happened to the victim of the crime scene.

The blood strings aren’t the most important thing to a blood splatter analyst they are just simply a tool to help investigators and analysts draw conclusions about a substance that’s often found at crime scenes called blood, while  blood samples are used to identify someone through DNA.

Experts in the field often say that it’s as much an art as it is a science.

Questions you would be asked by the investigating officer-
Can you tell me what happened?
Where was the victim initially attacked?
What was the victim’s position during the attack?
What type of force created the bloodstains?
Where/what do you think his injuries might be?

Recommended terminology to use as a blood splatter analyst-

Altered Stain-

A bloodstain with characteristics that indicate a  physical change has occurred.  

Angle of Impact-

The acute angle (alpha), relative to the plane of a target, at which a blood drop strikes the target.

Cast-off Pattern-

A bloodstain  pattern resulting from blood drops released from an object due to its  motion.

Directionality-

The  characteristic of a bloodstain that indicates the direction blood was  moving at the time of deposition.

Expiration Pattern-

A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood forced by  airflow out of the nose, mouth, or a wound.

Spatter Stain-

A bloodstain resulting from a blood drop dispersed through the air due to an external force  applied to a source of liquid blood.