When is it useful? BLOOD PATTERN ANALYSIS …

1 ANALYSIS of such bloodstains can assist in the reconstruction of events at the scene as well as aiding in determining the most appropriate forensic strategy. This ANALYSIS can provide information in a number of ways including the location of an assault: the type of weapon used, the number of blows involved in an attack, the positions of the victim and the assailant at the scene, the likelihood of BLOOD being deposited on the offender and may also provide information to corroborate or refute statements provided by the individuals involved in the of BLOOD patterns can also assist in the selection of BLOOD stains for DNA ANALYSIS using BPA to aid in trying to locate BLOOD from any offender amongst the BLOOD of a victim in a particular investigation or taking a bloodstain which will represent the other bloodstains in a particular PATTERN for interpretation which can result in reducing the number of samples that need to be BPA service includes the use of a number of BLOOD enhancement techniques including Luminol and Leuco Crystal Violet (LCV) and more recently we have developed the use of hydrogen peroxide.

2 These techniques can be useful in cases where detection of BLOOD may be difficult because of the nature of the surface, attempts have been made to clean the item/scene or for enabling visualisation of marks in BLOOD for example footwear marks, wipe marks and drag marks. Specialist expertise ininterpretation, enhancement & ANALYSIS 16 Blacklands Way, Abingdon Business Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. OX14 1DY, UKTel: +44 (0)1235 528609 Fax: +44 (0)1235 B1, Buckshaw Link, Ordnance Road, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 7EL, UKTel: +44 (0)1235 528609 Fax: +44 (0)1235 on call tel no. 01235 552300 IDENTIFICATION INTERPRETATION INNOVATIONI ntroductionBloodstain PATTERN ANALYSIS (BPA) is an in depth evaluation of the number, shape, size, location and distribution of bloodstains using the disciplines of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics in order to define the basic nature of the action that created it. A detailed study of BLOOD patterns at scenes of crime and on clothing and weapons at the laboratory can provide invaluable evidence both in terms of intelligence information for use in the early investigation phases of a case and when presented in expert testimony in court.

3 BPA is offered as part of Cellmark Forensic Services crime scene to court Our BPA scientists possess extensive expertise in this area and are able to determine information from the distribution, size and shape of bloodstains present on a victim, on a suspect and on surfaces and objects present at crime scenes. Our scientists have been involved in a wide range of cases where BPA has provided significant evidence or valuable information including murders, attempted murders, serious assaults, road traffic accidents, burglaries and suspicious deaths. BPA/01/16 IDENTIFICATION INTERPRETATION INNOVATIONWhen is it useful? BLOOD PATTERN ANALYSIS - at the scene or in the laboratoryBPA is carried out in our laboratory and at scenes of crime. Cellmark has state of the art laboratories for the location, examination and interpretation of BLOOD patterns . It is standard practice that other evidence types such as footwear, damage, other body fluids and trace evidence are considered as part of the comprehensive has been successfully used in cold case reviews, utilising enhancement techniques, specialist DNA ANALYSIS and a full interpretation of any new results in conjunction with existing case materials to provide valuable information for has a dedicated on-call team who specialise in BPA available to attend scenes of crime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

4 They can be reached on 01235 part of the on-call service our scientists are also available for scientific advice on scene or laboratory examinations or to provide guidance on sampling, packaging and storage of BLOOD stains and BLOOD stained items. Cellmark also provides BPA training and awareness courses to the Police, Crime Scene Investigators, Scientists and Lawyers. These practical courses cover basic BPA theory and provide information and advice that may assist investigators in maximising BPA evidence in relation to their cases. BLOOD PATTERN ANALYSIS - at the scene or in the laboratoryBlood Enhancement TechniquesLuminol: Luminol is used in many cases to detect non-visible or diluted bloodstaining, for example in a clean up situation where BLOOD has been wiped up at a scene or on clothing that has been washed, or to enhance a PATTERN such as footwear marks on carpets, which cannot be seen under normal lighting. Luminol produces a blue/green chemiluminescence that can be seen in darkened environments.

5 Leuco Crystal Violet (LCV):LCV is used to enhance marks in BLOOD and other areas of BLOOD staining, including where attempts have been made to clean up. LCV reacts with the BLOOD producing a purple/violet colour, improving the visualisation of BLOOD on many surfaces and it can result in fine detail being Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide reacts with BLOOD to produce a visible white reaction. This technique is easy to use on a day to day basis in a working laboratory environment and is especially useful on dark study 1A scene of crime examination was undertaken in a murder enquiry. An injured party was found outside a hotel with a wound to his femoral artery; he later died in hospital from his injuries. Inside the hotel BLOOD staining was noted over four floors. The PATTERN of the BLOOD revealed different BLOOD patterns associated with movement of the victim, from the site of the initial injury, contact BLOOD stains and some BLOOD being cast off his shoe as he walked.

6 There was then a change to the BLOOD PATTERN to dripped spots of BLOOD as he was carried down some of the stairs and finally after a period of time, whilst still being carried, drag marks in BLOOD were seen as his feet started to drag along the floor to where he was found. Further areas of dripped BLOOD were found near to the drag marks but not in a PATTERN that you would expect from the victim at this stage, which indicated another injured party had been dripping BLOOD from an injury in this area. Case study 2 BLOOD staining including numerous small spots of BLOOD was found in the cellar of a house and a body found on the ground floor. The scientist was asked to interpret the BLOOD PATTERN to determine if there was any indication of an assault taking place. The small spots of BLOOD in the cellar were the result of BLOOD dripping through the wooden floorboards, causing a drip PATTERN and small spots of BLOOD landing on several objects in the room. BLOOD was found in the house resulting from the victim bleeding and moving around house, including a site of initial injury, all fitting with a self inflicted injury.

7 Case study 3 A pair of denim jeans was recovered from a washing machine of a murder suspect, having been washed. The victim had been kicked resulting in bleeding injuries. Luminol examination of the jeans detected BLOOD staining around the lower leg area, from which a DNA profile matching that of the victim was obtained.