Objective establishment of the truth is the goal of any good crime scene investigator. This demands a consideration of all evidence available using proven scientific methodologies to establish objective snapshots of the crime. The majority of forensic disciplines shed light on the “who” of a crime, bloodstain pattern analysis is one of the most important disciplines to address “what” happened. Understanding the discipline, its underlying scientific basis, and how best to apply this knowledge is crucial in the investigator’s quest for the truth.

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Authors

1 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Its Function and a Historical Perspective

The Function of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Historical Perspective of BloodstainPattern Evidence

 Early Scientific References

 Modern Works in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Summary

References

2 Bloodstain Pattern Terminology

3 Bloodstain Classification

4 A Methodology for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

5 The Medium of Blood

6 Anatomical Considerations in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

7 Determining Motion and Directionality

8 Determining the Point of Convergence and the Area of Origin

9 Evaluating Impact Spatter Bloodstains

10 Understanding and Applying Characteristic Patterns of Blood

11 Bloodstained Clothing Issues

12 Presumptive Testing and Enhancement of Blood

13 Documenting Bloodstains

14 An Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction and Analysis

15 Presenting Evidence

16 Experimentation in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

17 Dealing with the Risk of Bloodborne Pathogens

Appendix A: Weight/Measurement Conversion Table

Appendix B: Trigonometric Functions and Their Application in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Index