NCJ Number
93307
Date Published
1983
Length
112 pages
Annotation
A manual on bloodsplatter interpretation presents a series of practical experiments designed to teach the practitioner of crime scene reconstruction what can be deduced from bloodstain patterns.
Abstract
The 14 experiments enable practitioners to reproduce distinct characteristics of bloodsplatters using clearly defined equipment and procedures illustrated in photographs. Characteristics examined include the diameter of stains as a function of origin, distance fallen, and volume of drop; target surface effects; the effect of impact angle on stain shape; cast-off bloodstaining; impact splatter patterns; and gunshot splatter patterns. Other features considered are the effects of large volumes of falling blood patterns of projected blood, bloodstain contact patterns, drying time of blood, stain size as a function of horizontal motion, and bloody shoe trails. The four practical exercises that follow provide the practitioner with an opportunity to apply what has been learned in the experiments by attempting to identify unknown stain patterns on cardboard targets. Skill areas highlighted are bloodstain pattern recognition, interpretation of bloodstained clothing, determination of source of origin, and crime scene processing. Three appendixes contain tables for determining drop volume from stain diameter, impact angle, and blood drying time. A glossary of terms is included.