Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Interpretation for Investigators (BASIC)
IAI Approved Course

Training Goals and Objectives

A (5) five-day pre-requisite to International Association for Identification certification course designed to assist crime scene technicians, detectives and forensic investigators in the recognition, documentation and evaluation of blood stain patterns when processing those scenes involving blood shed. Reconstruction of a crime scene requires accurate description and documentation of all evidence observed and collected. This program introduces a clear understanding of resources and techniques available to allow them to document reconstruct and describe in detail a crime involving bloodshed.

Training Goals:

1. To be able to recognize and identify bloodstain pattern evidence at the scene.

2. To learn to properly document and preserve bloodstain evidence.

3. Learn the proper interpretation of the bloodstain evidence and patterns; prepare and render an expert opinion concerning that interpretation.

Training Audience, Format and Content

Audience:

Forensic crime scene / evidence collection personnel and criminal investigators wanting skills related to identification, collection and interpretation of bloodstain patterns at potential criminal scene.

Format and Content:

1. To teach the students how to identify the various bloodstain pattern evidence at the crime scene.

2. Instruct and demonstrate to the student how to properly document bloodstain pattern evidence.

3. To learn the proper ways in preservation of bloodstain evidence.

4. To teach the student how to properly reconstruct bloodstain patterns from the evidence at the scene.

5. To teach the student how to interpret the bloodstain evidence.

Course Content / Evaluation

Note: Successful practical elements in the following experiments are required for certificate of completion:

·         Diameter of Stain as a Function of Origin

·         Delivery vs. Stain Diameter and Drop Volume

·         Blood In Free Fall – Fall and Target Surface Effects

·         Impact Angle vs. Stain Shape

·         Stain Size vs. Horizontal Distance Traveled

·         Preparation of Impact Angle Standards

·         Bloodstain in Horizontal Motion

·         Drip Patterns - Blood Dropping Into Blood

·         Impact Splatter – Force of Impact vs. Size of Stain

·         Gunshot Splatter Patterns

·         Large Volumes of Falling Blood

·         Projected Blood

·         Bloody Shoe Trails

·         Target Surface Effects

·         Cast-off Blood staining

·         Bloodstain Pattern Recognition

·         Interpretation of Bloodstained Clothing

·         Source of Origin Determinations

·         Crime Scene Processing

Special Needs

Students should possess a proficient working knowledge of Basic Crime Scene Investigation Techniques

Limitations

Maximum number of attendees: 30

Student Materials

·         Students will be provided with a complete training manual (attached)

·         Lesson plans will be distributed at the start of class or may be enclosed in the training manual.

·         Power Point project and TV / VCR will be required

·         Students are requested to bring (1) box of latex (disposable gloves), disposable cover-up gowns, goggles

·         Students will be required to sign liability waiver dealing with (OPIM) Potentially Infectious Materials

·         The Taylor Group will provide expired “Blood-Bank Material”, Cardboard, Brown Paper roll, Biohazard Bags,

      Eye-Droppers, Beakers, Syringe, Swabs / Bags, Bleach, Hand Cleaner.

Daily content and course schedule / agenda:

Day One

o        Introduction/lecture

o        Biohazards at the scene

o        Experiment 4, impact angle vs. stain size

o        Practical 3, Source of origin determinations

o        Experiments 1 & 2, Stain Diameter as a function of origin

o        Experiment 3, Target surface effects

o        Discussion

Day Two:

o        Experiment 5, Castoff patterns

o        Experiment 6, Impact spatter patterns

o        Discussion

o        Experiments 7 & 9, Gunshot spatter patterns & projected blood

o        Experiments 12, Stain size vs. horizontal distance traveled

o        Discussion

Day Three

o        Experiment 10, Contacts patterns

o        Experiment 13, Blood in horizontal motion

o        Experiment 14, Bloody shoe trails

o        Discussion

o        Experiment 8, Large volumes of falling blood

o        Practical 1, Bloodstain pattern recognition

o        Discussion

Day Four

o        Scene processing

o        Documentation of bloodstain evidence

o        Pattern interpretations

Day Five:

o        Group discussion and evaluations of scenes

o        Report writing

o        Courtroom testimony

o        Course evaluation

o        Final Examination

o        Presentation of Certificates

Evaluation

The evaluation process will consist of class participation and active involvement in class exercises. Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in all techniques taught and pass a written post examination with a score of 70% or better. Failure to demonstrate proficiency to standard or pass the post exam will result in an unsatisfactory performance rating for the program.

Cost: (5) day course consisting of five (8 hour) days:

Limitations / Special Needs: None

Any audio/visual or POSTC / Academy facility or staff needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but might include the use of an electronic projection unit, VCR, audio or marker board materials.

Police Officer Standards and Training Requirements

This program has met the rigorous standards of several POST / POSTC certifying authorities in: Texas, Washington, New Hampshire, Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida

Student Materials

Depending on student understanding, a wide range of video, audio and PowerPoint presentations will be used in the training session, and the instructors will come prepared with everything they will need to make this an informative, fast-paced learning experience. The materials will range from commercially driven video, personal case studies of the instructors, and detailed hands on training exercises.

Detailed lesson plans are available as needed, and copies of the course PowerPoint presentations will be available to those in attendance.

Due to publishing restrictions, these training materials are not enclosed for a review!

Evaluations of Past Courses