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Blood Spatter Analysis
"Historically, bloodstain interpretation has suffered through a long period of neglect and, as a result, investigators in death cases frequently have not appreciated the very obvious information available from this source."
Interpretation of Blood Stain Evidence at Crime Scenes - Stuart James/William G. Eckert
When an individual sustains some form of cut, laceration or other wound, the potential for bloodstain/spatter deposition is created. The means by which this was deposited can often be determined.
Blood stains and spattering can also be formed from objects other than the wound. Cast off spatters from blunt force instruments can add to the total blood spatter pattern.
Blood spattering can be found at most violent crime scenes and its interpretation is a multi-disciplined process involving biology, physics and mathematics. An examination of these patterns and their formation can provide significant testimony relating to the following examples:
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Origin of the blood stains/spatter |
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Position of victim at time of blows. |
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Number of blows struck |
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Direction of deposit |
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Manner of deposition (drip, blunt force trauma and gun shot wounds) |
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Direction of travel after injury |
Blood stain/blood spattering remains one of the most overlooked and under utilized evidences at crime scenes.
Blood spatter examinations can provide an understanding to the scene and the nature of the incident. Post scene examinations very often depend on the number and quality of crime scene photographs. In many cases inspection of the crime scene itself, if possible, can lead to a more thorough examination and opinion.