Bloodstain Pattern Analysis In Criminal Investigation

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Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) or blood spatter is a specialty in the field of forensic science that interprets bloodstains at a crime scene in order to recreate the actions that caused them. The analyst use the location and distribution, along with the size and shape of the bloodstains to form a perspective about what could of happened and what could have not happened at the crime scene. BPA further helps the investigators in figuring out where the events occurred and what time and order they happened in. As well as, who was there and if they were in relation to each other. It may even help the investigators decide between whether the crime was a homicide, accident, or suicide (“A Simplified Guide To Bloodstain Pattern Analysis”, 2015).
By reconstructing the crime scene using bloodstains (blood spatter), the investigators can learn many useful things to aid in their investigation. They can learn what weapons were used and the location, type, and number of wounds caused by that the weapon. Whether the victim defended or tried to escape the perpetrator, if the victim’s body was moved when deceased, and if the victim experienced postmortem violence (Swanson, …show more content…

The crime scene investigators analyzing the patterns made by the blood can help in determining the series of events that occurred during the crime scene. In knowing what type of events occurred, the investigators could compare witness statements or rule out any potential suspects. Another thing that the investigators should know about is void patterns. Void patterns happen when a person or object blocks the path of blood. With the void pattern, the investigators can determine if an object is missing from the scene or if there was a person(s) in that particular spot at the time of the incident. It also can tell the investigator if a body was moved (“A Simplified Guide To Bloodstain Pattern Analysis”,

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