Blood Spatter

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Recommended: blood spatter in forensic science is a key aspect of criminal justice that can help identify criminals and murders

Ever since the Showtime series Dexter aired in 2006, blood spatter has become a well-known technique used in criminal cases. This method of investigation has been studied since the late 1890’s, but the first case that blood spatter analysis was used in wasn’t until 1954. Though blood spatter is an older method of solving crimes, it still plays an important role in finding a perpetrator. For instance, one way that blood spatter aids in criminal investigations is that the forensic technicians can figure out what kind of weapon was used. When looking at a drop of blood, the forensic scientists can measure the diameter of the spatter. If the width is 4-6 millimeters, then it is considered low velocity and is from blood dropping due to gravity. An example of this could be blood dripping off of someone’s hand. Low velocity is caused by a force of five feet per second or less (Freeman). Medium velocity is 1-4 millimeters, and it is often associated with the victim being stabbed or beaten. This could mean that the weapon was anything hard enough to leave abrasions, lacerations, contusions or fractured bones. The force needed for this is anywhere between 5 and 100 feet per second (Freeman). When the spatter is less than 1 millimeter wide, then the forensic technicians can usually conclude that the weapon used was a gun or anything that has a force of 100 feet per second (Freeman). Knowing this information can help the detectives see the ‘signature’ of the crime, or it can help identify whether they are dealing with a repeat offender. Once the forensic scientists figure out the type of weapon used, they can then begin to find the point of origin. Whether or not the perpetrator is aware of it or not, the patterns made by blood give away t... ... middle of paper ... ...im and the perpetrator can be exposed from the projected spatter. The body’s position can tell detectives whether it was a surprise attack or the victim knew the person who committed the crime. Another way to find the story is with voids. Voids are areas where an object blocked the path of the blood (Forensic). They can tell the forensic analyst whether or not anything was moved or taken from the crime scene. The motive for the crime can usually be determined once the voids are found. With all of that being said, having forensic scientists study the blood spatter found at a crime scene can succor detectives in finding the person responsible. Whether the forensic technicians use blood spatter analysis to figure out what weapon was used, to find the height of the perpetrator, or to piece together the crime’s story, it is still an effective method of solving crimes.

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