NCJ Number
248191
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 64 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2014 Pages: 475-488
Date Published
October 2014
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This experiment was designed to test whether the application of BlueStar on fabric alters the shape, size, direction, or appearance of bloodstains.
Abstract
The results showed that bloodstains were affected by the fabric and also by the amount of BlueStar, but the direction of spraying did not influence the results. The more the stains were sprayed, the wider the fluorescence spread outside the original stain demarcation. Small stains that were close to each other also coalesced into a large stain. Bloodstains on the polyester fabric produced an outline with a darker area in the center during the drying process after spraying with BlueStar. Thus, BlueStar used in small amounts does not affect the direction of the blood pattern, based upon a comparison of first-time and subsequent BlueStar use; however, excessive use of BlueStar can alter the original shape of bloodstains. The amount of BlueStar used is reported for different fabrics. The effect of the BlueStar should be tested on a similar fabric before using it on potential evidence; otherwise, it should not be sprayed more than twice. 7 figures and 12 references