3 Facts About Forensic Blood Spatter Pattern Analysis
Modern television has given the public some insight into the investigative techniques used by law enforcement officials. The analysis of blood spatter patterns at a crime scene is featured prominently in many television shows, and it also plays a critical role in solving real crimes.
Analyzing blood spatter patterns can reveal a lot of information about the way a crime was committed. To truly appreciate this fascinating field of forensics, you must have an understanding of the nuances that make bloodstain pattern analysis unique.
1. There Are Many Different Blood Spill Patterns
Whenever blood pattern analysis is mentioned, people automatically assume that this refers to the analysis of the tiny specks of blood found at a crime scene.
While spatter patterns are certainly useful, forensic scientists also use other types of blood spills to help determine the facts surrounding a crime. Other useful types of blood spills include blood drip stains and blood transfer patterns.
The analysis of all of these blood spills combined can help forensic scientists recreate a crime to determine who might be responsible.
2. The Surfaces at a Crime Scene Matter
It can be incredibly challenging for a forensic scientist to evaluate blood spatter patterns at a crime scene because the variables at each crime scene are different. One of the major variables that must be accounted for when analyzing any type of blood spill is the surface on which the blood landed.
Some surfaces are porous and can absorb blood spills. This causes the spatter pattern to become slightly distorted. Smooth, non-porous surfaces can allow blood spills to drip or shift.
A forensic scientist must use both the trajectory of the blood spill and the surface conditions on which the blood settled to determine the facts of a crime scene.
3. The Weapon Used Can Be Identified With Blood Pattern Analysis
It's not uncommon for an investigator to be unaware of the weapon that was used during the commission of a crime. Discovering the identity of the weapon allows investigators to narrow their search for a suspect.
At crime scenes where no weapon is found, blood pattern analysis is able to help confirm the identity of the weapon used in the crime.
The shape and size of the blood patterns at the crime scene give a forensic scientist valuable information about the force, weight, and shape of the weapon used to inflict injury to the victim.
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