The course is designed for investigators and crime scene investigators and others involved in criminal and medical-legal investigations and crime scene analysis. The course is intended to develop knowledge of the bloodstain pattern analysis discipline. The curriculum will provide an understanding of bloodstain pattern analysis principles and how to apply the methods to actual casework. Students will participate in practical exercises/experiments designed to reinforce the skills instructed during the course lectures. Students will be provided with a lab manual to document observations and results of course experiments.
This course qualifies as part of the education requirements for the International Association for Identification, Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification.
Course Objectives:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history and advancement of bloodstain pattern analysis.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the inherent limitations of bloodstain pattern analysis.
- Recognize bloodstain patterns and understand the mechanism by which they are created.
- Determine impact angles for individual bloodstains.
- Determine the area of convergence for a group of bloodstains.
- Demonstrate the ability to combine impact angle and area of convergence determinations to locate the area of origin for a given blood spatter event.
- Recognize proper protective measures to follow in a bloodstained scene.
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability to document bloodstained scenes via notes, diagrams, photographs and “Roadmapping” procedures.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate a basic bloodstain pattern scene.