PH D inishe

Bloodstain Size,
Shape and Formation
Implications for the Bloodstain Pattern Analyst

Mark REYNOLDS
 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

“The study of the location, size, shape and

distribution of bloodstains and bloodstain patterns,
in association with knowledge of the underpinning
sciences (Physics, Bio-Chemistry, Biology and
Mathematics), in order to identify the physical
events giving rise to their origin”

RCMP 2003
Crime Event Reconstruction

„ Bloodstain pattern analysis can provide

investigators with a retrospective
window to past events.
„ The more well known forensic disciplines
such as FP’s or DNA provide us with
information on the WHO, BPA provides
us with information on the HOW.
Daubert

“not only allows, but requires, courts to determine

whether an expert’s extrapolations from underlying
studies or data are proper, or whether the expert has
committed scientific or mathematical error”

Bernstein, D.E., (1994). “The admissibility of Scientific Evidence after

Daubert V Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc”. 15(6-7) Cardozo law review
2139
 Daubert and others……………..
„ Whether the technique or theory can be tested (the criterion of
the scientific status of a theory is its falseibility, refutability or
testability)
„ Whether the technique or theory has been subject to peer review
and/or publication (scrutiny is a means of increasing the likelihood
that substantive flaws in methodology will be detected)
„ Whether the known or potential rate of error associated with
the technique or theory have been identified
„ The existence and maintenance of standards and controls
regulating the techniques operation
„ Whether the technique or theory has been generally accepted in
the scientific community
Some History

„ Balthezard / MacDonell - L/W Relationship

„ Laturnus - Measurement Survey
„ Bevel and Gardner 2nd Ed - 5 to 7° variance
„ Raymond - Compromise (L≤8mm, W≥2mm)
„ CTS Proficiency Tests - No apparent improvement
Area of Origin Determinations
„ Stain selection
Appropriate number and distribution
Fast upward moving droplets
Well formed leading edge / bilateral symmetry
Size

„ Stain measurement
System employed (scaling and assistance)
Understanding of ellipsoid mathematics
Experience
Environmental constraints
PhD Research

„ Computer assisted fitting of ellipses to

bloodstains for measurement purposes
„ Accuracy and Precision
„ Microsoft Excel AutoShapes
„ Small Bloodstains (Formation Forces)
Auto Shape Definition
„ “The Microsoft® Office Excel 2003
drawing toolbar contains predetermined
auto shapes, one of which is described
as an ‘oval’. The oval auto shape
drawing tool is designed to construct
ellipsoid and true circle shapes”

Blattner, P., Using Microsoft Office Excel 2003 – Special

Edition. Que Publishing, USA, 2003.
AutoShape Potential

„ True ellipse assessment (quadratic equations)

„ Pilot Evaluation (15 stains 25 analysts Blind)
„ CTS PT Comparision (2004, 2005, 2006)
„ Refinements from process
Automated Steps

„ Macro’s (gridlines, ellipse etc)

„ Visual Basic background (dialogue boxes)
„ Auto data insertion into master tables
„ Auto calculation / statistical data treatment
„ Limited by imagination / IT knowledge
Conclusions

„ Microsoft® Office Excel 2003 Auto Shape

facility produces a more accurate / precise
estimate of impact angle than manual
measuring processes
„ Further, small bloodstains are now able to
be used by the bloodstain pattern analyst
with improved measurement confidence
Measurement Error

„ Refined Method vs Industry Std

„ Accuracy
„ 4 Blind trials
„ Precision
„ Technical Error of Measurement
Conclusions

„ Error is Angle of Impact Dependent

„ < error < I° ≈ O°
„ Precision to sub-degree levels
„ Measurement Equivalence
Small Bloodstains
„ < 3.0mm long
„ Change in relative influence of I to ST
„ Compliance with theoretical expectations
„ Theory and Practice
„ Small vrs Larger
 BLOODSTAINS: Vertical Fall onto Inclined Surface (sub 6.0mm length)
Comparison between known and calculated Impact Angles

38.0

36.0

34.0

32.0
Calculated Impact Angle (Degrees)

30.0

28.0

26.0 Known Impact Angle

0.1-3.0mm Excel
24.0
0.1-3.0mm BackTrack
22.0 3.1-6.0mm Excel

20.0

18.0

16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0
15 20 25 30 35
Known Impact Angle (Degrees)
Spattered Bloodstains

„ 7 of 10 patterns gave +ve X (<3.0mm)

„ 10 of 10 patterns gave –ve or = X (>3.0mm)
Conclusions

„ Non-compliance with Theory (<3.0mm)

„ Change in relative influence between
stain formation forces
Factors Affecting Stain Formation S
E M
S E
„ Impact direction relative to surface (alpha and gamma)
I T
„ Drop Size (KE)
A S
„ Impact Velocity (KE) E
L
P (density, viscosity, visco-elasticity,
„ Properties of the liquid
I
other Non-newtonian M
effects)
„ Surface orS
S
interfacial tension
A
O T
„ Topography and wettability of surface
„ AirNentrapment

Yarin (2006) Drop Impact Dynamics: Splashing, Spreading,

Receding and Bouncing. Annu. Review. Fluid Mech. 38:159-192
SAME Impact Angle

SAME Volume

SAME Surface

SAME Vertical Fall

SAME Temperature

SAME Viscosity

Drops 2, 14, 16 and

21 of a 25 drop sample
set
Advantages
„ Scene Use / Context (BT Remote)
„ Computer fitted theoretical ellipse
„ Recording of stepped measurement process
„ Electronic case file data generation
„ Research applications (measurement discrimination/data
treatment)
„ Availability
Disadvantages

„ Training requirement
„ Requirement for digital capability / scene
computer
„ Image capture / download / measurement time
Acknowledgements

„ WA Police Service
„ UWA Centre for Forensic
Science
„ UWA Post Graduate Student
Assoc.
„ Dr Tony Raymond (NSWPol)
„ A.Prof Ian Dadour (UWA)