Crime Scene: #1

Evidence being examined: Blood Spatter

Forensic science used: Blood Spatter Analysis
Summary of the Science:
Izzy Bonecutter

http://science.howstuffworks.com/bloodstain-pattern-analysis2.htmCrime Scene #1
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/SimpliedGuideBloodstainPatterns.pdf
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/serology/4.html
http://www.forensicsciencesimplied.org/blood/how.html

Blood spatter can be a huge part of detecting what happened in a crime scene.
Its important that blood spatter analysis is done correctly so investigators can get
accurate results. Its a light red liquid lled with DNA and cells. Improperly handled blood
evidence can weaken or destroy a important source of facts in a case. Properly
collected and preserved blood evidence can establish a strong link between an
individual and a criminal act. Because blood behaves according to certain scientic
principles, trained bloodstain pattern analysts can examine the blood evidence left
behind and draw conclusions as to how the blood may have been shed. From what may
appear to be a random bloodstain at a crime scene, analysts can categorize the stains
by gathering information from spatter patterns, transfers, voids and other marks that
assist investigators in recreating the sequence of events that occurred after bloodshed.
Blood spatter is used in many crime scenes that involve blood and are very useful to
create conclusions.

Blood spatter plays an important roll in investigations. Its very important that if
blood is present in the crime scene, that investigators carefully look at the blood pattern
to make assumptions. Blood spatter can help determine the way a victim was shot or
murdered for example, or from what side the victim was murdered. Many investigators
are trying to answer questions like the following.
. Type of injuries
. The order in which the wounds were received
. Whose blood is present
. The type of weapon that caused the injuries
. Whether the victim was in motion or lying still when the injury was inflicted
. Whether the victim was moved after the injury was inflicted
. How far the blood drops fell before hitting the surface where they were found
"Bloodstain patterns," Kennedy says, "will help the investigators understand the
positions and the means by which the victim and suspect moved, interacted, and
struggled through the crime scene. With an understanding of what and how
things occurred, investigators can focus and find fingerprints, footprints, hairs,
fibers and other forms of trace evidence. The assessment of bloodstain patterns
will also limit the need to collect an overabundance of redundant blood sample
for DNA. Furthermore, a reconstruction of the scene helps the investigators
determine which of the witnesses and suspects is telling the truth or lying.
Bloodstain samples can be collected for BPA by cutting away stained
surfaces or materials, photographing the stains, and drying and packaging
stained objects. The tools for collecting bloodstain evidence usually include high-
quality cameras (still and video), sketching materials, cutting instruments and
evidence packaging. Its important that investigators don't smear or move the
blood spatter because it can effect the crime scene and the evidence. If
investigators want to take samples of blood thats on the wall for example, they
are able to cut out the wall and take the piece of wall to the lab. Investigators can
swab the blood and bring it to the lab to detect if it is human blood. They can find
DNA from the blood to make conclusions. You can also use string to help identify
the placement of the blood spatter and where it came from.

Yesterday, after studying the crime scene, the studies showed that Aaron
Lee was shot while he was sitting at the table. It was determined that he was
lying down while he was shot, and its undetermined who shot him, or why. Blood
spatter was very important in this scene because it helped us figure out where
exactly he was shot and how. It was also important for DNA reasons. Our studies
also proved that the bullet went through his head, through his arm, and ricochet
across the table. It was also crucial to figure out the point of origin, witch was at
his arm. We determined this from the blood, and we determined the angle of
where the bullet came from. When an examination was done with the string, one
end of the string was taped to the top of the spatter, and the other end to where it
pointed, witch ended up being at the table. All of the strings connected to by the
bullet wound in the victims left arm.