The Importance Of Blood Evidence

Since homicide is a crime in which a life has been ended, it is highly important the investigation surrounding a homicide be taken seriously and be completed effectively. That is, it is critical for the investigator(s), and other branches of the investigation, to be highly trained in preserving a crime scene, as well as interpreting the evidence left at a crime scene, or surrounding the investigation. There are various techniques available to aid in the examination of a homicide crime scene, but none more importantly than what could be told be the body.

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is one of many specialties in the field of forensic science; the science of bloodstain pattern analysis use scientific knowledge from other fields to solve problems. BPA also uses the scientific method to examine bloodstain evidence at a crime scene where blood is present by gathering information, observing, documenting, analyzing, evaluating, and technical or peer reviewing. A bloodstain pattern analysis job is to collect, categorize and interpret the shape and distribution of bloodstains within a crime scene (Peschel, 2011). Bloodstain patterns can reconstruct a crime scene and then determine the crime as an accident, homicide, or suicide; the blood can also identify the location, quality and intensity of an external force. The purpose of a BPA’s is to determine bloodstain patterns and to recreate the action that caused the blood.

In order to understand how to compile evidence for criminal cases, we must understand the most effective types of evidence. This topic is interesting because there are ample amounts of cases where defendants have gotten off because of the lack of forensic evidence. If we believe forensic evidence is so important and it affects our decisions, then maybe we need to be educated on the reality of forensic evidence. If we can be educated, then we may have a more successful justice system. If we have a more successful justice system than the public could gain more confidence that justice will be served. In order to do this, we must find what type of evidence is most effective, this can be done by examining different types of evidence.

In the criminal justice system, the best chance of a fair trial and justice lies within cases that include physical evidence. Physical evidence, whether fibers, fingerprints, or DNA, can give a jury proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Physical evidence can convict a criminal, or it can free an innocent man. It can bring closure to families and to the law enforcement that work the cases. The following cases will show what physical evidence does in a criminal trial and the vast impact it can make. For each case I will examine how the physical evidence was important to the case and whether or not it could have made more of a difference if the presentation of the evidence were different. The five cases are: the Mosley case, the Warren case, the Chandler case, the Frediani case, and the Swift Case.

The criminal justice system has changed a lot since the good old days of the Wild West when pretty much anything was legal. Criminals were dealt with in any fashion the law enforcement saw fit. The science of catching criminals has evolved since these days. We are better at catching criminals than ever and we owe this advancement to forensic science. The development of forensic science has given us the important techniques of fingerprinting and DNA analysis. We can use these techniques to catch criminals, prove people's innocence, and keep track of inmates after they have been paroled. There are many different ways of solving crimes using forensic evidence. One of these ways is using blood spatter analysis; this is where the distribution and pattern of bloodstains is studied to find the nature of the event that caused the blood spatter. Many things go into the determination of the cause including: the effects of various types of physical forces on blood, the interaction between blood and the surfaces on which it falls, the location of the person shedding the blood, the location and actions of the assailant, and the movement of them both during the incident. Another common type of forensic evidence is trace evidence. This is commonly recovered from any number of items at a crime scene. These items can include carpet fibers, clothing fibers, or hair found in or around the crime scene. Hairs recovered from crime scenes can be used as an important source of DNA. Examination of material recovered from a victim's or suspect's clothing can allow association to be made between the victim and other people, places, or things involved in the investigation. DNA analysis is the most important part of forensic science. DNA evidence can come in many forms at the crime scene. Some of these forms include hair; bodily fluids recovered at the crime scene or on the victim's body, skin under the victim's fingernails, blood, and many others. This DNA can be the basis of someone's guilt or innocence; it has decided many cases in the twentieth century. As the times continue to change and the criminals get smarter we will always need to find new ways to catch them. Forensic science is the most advanced method yet, but is only the beginning. As the field of science grows so will the abilities of the

In today’s time, modern Crime Scene Investigation has increased rapidly. From throughout the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s (Taylor 1). For all of the evidence that they find, a solid foundation has formed over the thousands of years of Crime Scene

One of the key parts to solving a crime is gathering evidence. It can either make or break any criminal case. Objects, stains, etc are handled with the utmost care. If anything were to ruined, the case would be lost. “Proper processing of the crime by crime scene investigators ensures that evidence won't be overlooked or accidentally destroyed.”()Proper attire includes latex gloves, to prevent the investigators fingerprints from transferring to the evidence, and footwear, to not track foreign substance or shoe prints on the scene. Blood samples and DNA are important in cases too. When investigators collect the samples, they

Forensic investigations require skills of specially trained scientists, police, engineers, doctors and others. “These investigators observe all types of evidence, from weapons to bloodstains and from computers to bugs” (Erzinclioglu 5). The greater the evidence against a person, the greater the chance of conviction.

If handled with care the evidence can be the best assistance to the crime investigator and can be used as a major proof in court. To improve the investigation any detective or expert has to admit the necessity of the non-movable items observation and processing apart from the regular movable evidence collection.

1. What is the function of the blood? What specific materials does it transport? Why are these substances important? Be specific – explain why these substances contribute to homeostasis.