Courses available in 8 hour, 16 hour, 24 hour and 40 hour formats

The full 40 hour Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course follows the recommended guidelines as set
forth by SWGSTAIN and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, (IABPA)


   

   Bloodstain patterns at any given crime scene can speak volumes for what actually occurred during the
assault or homicidal act. However, before a proper analysis can be conducted, the blood stain patterns
must be properly recognized and documented.

   Our Abbreviated Bloodstain Pattern courses will provide the student with valuable knowledge in
identifying and properly documenting bloodstain patterns. As we try to meet the specific needs of police
agencies, and realizing that it may be difficult to assign a particular officer to a school for a prolonged
period of time,  we have developed these intensive yet abbreviated courses to provide a general
understanding of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis:


Identifying and Documenting Bloodstain Patterns - 8 hour course:  this is a basic course that         
     emphasizes identifying and documenting bloodstain patterns. Course topics include:
            
             •  Collecting background information
             •  Types of patterns
             •  Documenting blood stain patterns
             •  Blood enhancing reagents
             •  Collecting and preserving blood evidence
             •  The application of DNA testing in blood stain pattern analysis


Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis - 16 or 24 hour course:  abbreviated version of the full  basic
       Bloodstain Analysis course. Students will learn to properly document crime scenes requiring
bloodstain pattern analysis. The Introduction course is designed to give the student a general
understanding of bloodstain pattern analysis in order to supply the correct information to a qualified
bloodstain pattern expert who will be consulted for testimony. The Introduction course topics include:

             •  Collecting background information
             •  Types of bloodstain patterns
             •  Documenting bloodstain patterns
             •  Photographing scenes involving bloodstain patterns
             •  Blood enhancing reagents
             •  Presumptive blood tests
             •  Collecting and preserving blood evidence
             •  The application of DNA testing in blood stain pattern analysis
             •  Characteristics of liquid blood and blood under force
             •  Characteristics of blood droplets on impact
             •  Limitations in conclusions


Full 40 Hour Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course: The Basic 40 hour course follows the
recommended training guideline as set forth by the Scientific Working Group for Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis, (SWGSTAIN) and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, (IABPA), and is
designed to provide the basic training required for students to begin the path toward becoming qualified
bloodstain pattern analysts. Course topics include:

           I. Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.
                   1.   The purpose and function of bloodstain pattern analysis in a modern  investigation.
                   2.   Getting Started: Background Information
                   3.   The application of basic scientific method in bloodstain pattern analysis.
                   4.   A discussion of bio-hazards associated with bloodstain patterns and the appropriate
                         personal protection techniques.
                   5.   Characteristics of liquid blood and blood droplets under force:
                           •  The general nature of liquid blood
                           •  The effects of surface tension on individual droplets and pools of blood,
                           •  The effects of terminal velocity on free falling droplets.
                   6.   Characteristics of blood droplets on impact:
                   7.    Limitations in bloodstain pattern analysis conclusions.
                           •  General conclusion information (consistent, inconsistent).
                           •  Impact angle determinations.
                           •  Point of origin determinations.
                           •  Pattern transfer determinations.


           II. Recognition and Creation of Basic Stain Patterns.
                   A combination of lecture and practical exercises designed to lead the student through a
                   primarily hands-on process of the cause and effect relationships that exist with regard to
                   the creation of bloodstain patterns.
                  
                    1. Low Force Impact Spatters – Passive Stains
                           •        Drip Patterns,
                           •        Flow Patterns,
                           •        Pools,
                           •        Saturation stains.
                   2. Medium Force Impact Spatter: including  Projected and Impact Spatter stains:
                   3. High Force Impact Spatter: including Gunshot Wounds
                   4.  Transfer Stains
                   5.  Misc. Patterns


           III. Preserving Blood Stain Pattern Evidence

                   A. Bloody clothing

                   B. Blood Swabs
                           •        Identifying/Marking Bloodstains
                           •        Control Swabs
                           •        Photographing bloodstains prior to collections
                           •        Proper use of swabs
                           •        Collecting bloodstain swabs
                           •        Properly air drying bloodstain swabs
                           •        Properly packaging and preserving bloodstain swabs

                   C. Submitting Blood Stain Evidence to the Forensic Lab

                           •        Documenting the location of all blood patterns
                           •        Documenting the location of all swabs taken
                           •        Determining which swabs are most probative
                           •        Facilitating the DNA process
                           •        Questioned samples and Control Samples
                           •        Locard’s Exchange Principle


           IV. DNA and Its Application to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

           V. Documenting Bloodstain Patterns.
                   1. Demonstration of photography techniques, illustrating the use of overall, mid-range and
                              close-up photographs to document bloodstain patterns.
                   2. Proper use of scale and other photography enhancement devices (e.g. ABFO scales,
                       stain labeling)
                   3. General discussion of latent blood enhancement chemicals and techniques
                   4. Report writing.
                   5. General discussion of presenting bloodstain pattern analysis testimony at legal
                       proceedings.
   
           VI. Correlation of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis with Other Forensic Evidence.
                           • The use and limitations of presumptive tests for blood.
                           • The importance of identification of bloodstain patterns to a specific source through
                              DNA/Serology technology.
                           • The correlation of bloodstain patterns to wound pathology.
                           •  The sequencing of bloodstain pattern events.


           VII. Practical Exercises.
                   1.   Stain Shape as a Function of Impact Angle.
                   2.   Diameter of Individual Stains as a Function of Distance Fallen and Droplet Volume.
                   3.   Creation and Causation of Cast-off Patterns.
                   4.   Creation of Impact Spatter Resulting From Blunt Trauma Force.
                   5.   Demonstration of Impact Spatter Resulting From Explosive Force.
                   6.   Creation of Projected Blood Patterns.
                   7.   Creation of Transfer Patterns.
                   8.  Creation and Recognition of Blood Trails.
                   9.   Drying Times of Blood.
                   10. Practical Exercise in Documenting, Photographing, and Collecting Bloodstain Patterns
                           •        Using Digital Photography and sketch forms provided, attendees will
                                     photography, label, document, sketch, and collect blood stain samples
                           •        Each groups exercise will be discussed and critiqued.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Training
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Training
Crime Scene Forensics,LLC
The fascinating
world of forensic
science...made
simple
Bloodstain Pattern courses include training manual, certificate of completion, and complimentary copy of
Crime Scene Forensics - Bloodstain Edition Field Guide
May be given as part of a
multidisciplinary conference