BPABlood Pattern Analysis

The presence of blood at a crime scene may indicate that some form of physical struggle, assault or murder took place. The analysis of the distribution of any blood at the scene (bloodstain pattern analysis) or on the suspects and victims clothing and other items may assist in determining who participated in an attack and who was just a bystander or who assisted the victim after the event.

The distribution, including the size, range, shape of blood stains on, for example, a victim, a suspect, a weapon, on items of clothing or on objects at the crime scene can assist in interpreting what may have taken place at a crime scene or during an assault. This then will assist with the reconstruction of the events at the scene, which led to the deposition of the blood staining detected.

At SLS Forensics our experts are highly experienced in the detection and interpretation of bloodstain patterns, either at a crime scene or on items recovered. We have the facilities to re-examine blood pattern evidence previously examined by the prosecution, we will check that the correct procedures were used to previously examine the blood staining found and we can assess whether the blood pattern analysis could have been contaminated in any way. Re-evaluation of the interpretation of the blood pattern analysis produced by the prosecution scientist in relation to any defence account is crucial and we can explore any weaknesses and strengths of the interpretation served by the prosecution, if indeed any such evaluation has been carried out by the Crown. In the current economic climate Police Forces often commission DNA analysis of blood stains to find out the source of the blood but their budget rarely stretches to interpretation of the blood stain pattern – we can step in and fill that gap – there may be a perfectly innocent explanation for the presence of the blood or of a particular blood pattern.