Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 1 Course (40 Hours)

Tuition Cost $595.00

Course Content

This course offers the attendees an introduction of the history of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.  Attendees will also receive information and discussions on the science and physics associated with bloodstain pattern analysis.  Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is the scientific study of the physical properties of blood in motion and the static aftermath resulting from dynamic event(s); it follows the same scientific principles and laws of physics associated with other liquids.  Because of this fact, the concepts of bloodstain pattern analysis are reproducible in a laboratory and/or experimental setting.  Bloodstain Pattern Analysis has been accepted as a scientific discipline. The attendees will receive discussions on the Scientific Factors Related to Bloodstain Evidence   , which includes adhesive and cohesive forces, surface tension     viscosity of some fluids.  This scientific discussion will continue with the forces acting upon a blood droplet in flight, which includes gravity and air resistance.  The discussions include blood as a non-Newtonian fluid, weight and mass and Newton’s Laws of Physics.  The scientific discussions will also examine the shape of falling blood and some of the influences on a falling blood droplet.  The scientific discussions will round out with the application of force to blood. The lectures will then progress into the uses and limitations of bloodstain evidence.  Some of these uses include determining directionality, impact angle, the types of force used which includes discussions on radiating spatter patterns, the number of blows struck.  Discussions will also include void or ghosting, transfer patterns and perimeter stain (skeletonization).  Additional discussions in this area will include general sequence of events, the importance of DNA analysis and Bloodstain Evidence.  Attendees will also receive discussions on Consistent vs. Inconsistent vs. Identification as it relates to Bloodstain Evidence Discussion on bloodstain terminology and bloodstain descriptions will be provided.  The attendees will receive a review of geometry and trigonometry as it relates to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.  Area of convergence, area of origin, bloodstain sequencing, bloodstain movement, computer uses in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, court preparations, presumptive tests and chemical enhancements and bio-hazards associated with bloodstains will also be presented.  The attendees will be introduced to the Scientific Method and its use in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Many of the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis concepts and events will be demonstrated through various experiments the attendees will perform during the course.  Some of the exercises will reinforce the mathematical principals discussed while others will utilize hands on experiments using human blood.  The experiments utilizing the blood will provide the attendees with opportunity to view the formation of the bloodstains under different circumstances and events.  The experiments will also provide the attendees with some insight on how to setup and conduct an experiment when the analyst is presented with unique bloodstain pattern.  These experiments include:

• Bloodstain Shape vs. Angle of Impact
• Bloodstain Size vs. Distance Blood droplet Falls
• The Effects of Surface Texture on Bloodspatter and Size and Edge Characteristics of the Resultant Bloodstains
• Impact Bloodspatter as a Result of Cast-off
• Impact Bloodspatter as a Result of Blunt Force
• Impact Bloodspatter as a Result of Gunshot
• Projected Bloodstains
• Blood Dripped into Blood / Splashed Blood
• Blood Transfer Patterns
• Compare Spatter vs. Transfer Patterns on Fabrics
• Drying Time of Blood
• Determining Directionality in Blood Trails
• The use of Presumptive Tests for Blood
• Bloodstain Descriptions / Worksheet

The attendees will develop the knowledge to recognize and document the various bloodstains encountered at crime scenes.  The attendees will be introduced to and will utilize a Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Worksheet to document various bloodstain experiments.  The attendees will be presented with a final mock bloody scene where they will put the training from the previous four days into action.

International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Approved Course

This course is approved by the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst (IABPA).  Since this course is approved, attendees that successfully complete this course are eligible to join the IABPA.  The IABPA does not endorse any specific course.  The IABPA does however provide guidelines for the content of a Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 1 or “Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis” course.  The IABPA’s course approval ensures that courses are taught that meet the minimal guidelines.  The IABPA also maintains a list of approved courses and instructors.

Upcoming Classes

There are no upcoming classes for this course at this time, please check back later.