Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

A course of instruction designed for investigators, crime scene technicians, forensic technicians, and others involved in criminal and medical-legal investigations and crime scene analysis. The course is intended to develop a fundamental knowledge of the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis. The course will illustrate to the student basic principles of bloodstain pattern analysis and the practical application of the discipline to actual casework. The course syllabus is not intended to create an “instant” expert.

Upon completion of the course the student should:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the development, history and advancement of bloodstain pattern analysis.
• Define the inherent limitations of bloodstain pattern analysis as a forensic discipline.
• Identify key bloodstain patterns using a taxonomic classification system and understand the mechanism by which they are created.
• Determine impact angles and area of origin for spatter patterns.
• Describe proper protective measures to follow in a bloodstained scene.
• Describe and demonstrate methods of documenting bloodstain scenes, both photographically and in written format.
• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate a basic bloodstain pattern scene.