Journal of

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis ISSN 2690-9006 Volume 35, Number 2 June 2020

The official publication of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

I hope this message finds all of our members around the world safe and healthy in this very challenging time of our lives. The Executive Board, Committee Chairs and I have been embracing the social distancing world by Zooming and communicating by email for the last several months. We have peeked in on other Virtual Conferences to fuel our own innovative thoughts for the 2020 IABPA Virtual Conference that is scheduled October 5th – 9th, 2020. Kacper Choromanski has graciously agreed to chair the virtual conference and immediately hit the ground running with his implementation of speakers and presentations. Eugene Liscio has donated his resources and volunteered his time to the IABPA with his technical expertise and equipment and has provided us some virtual meeting training along the way. Thank you Eugene and Kacper for stepping up! I am not discouraged by these challenging times. In talking to several of you in recent months I am empowered by your tenacity! I think that J.K. Rowling said it best for our group when she said “Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged.” I find that quote so very true for us as an organization. It is what brought me to the IABPA and what has always propelled me to move forward. It is a place of belonging for bloodstain pattern analysts from every nook and cranny in the world. We have so much talent and passion amongst our members and YOU make a difference every single day. I am blessed to stand beside each and every one of you and I am honored to serve as your President. On behalf of your Executive Board I want to thank you for trusting us to lead this association as we keep moving our proverbial train down the tracks. Sincerely,

President’s Message. Celestina Rossi, Celestina.Rossi@mctx.org

Elected Officers and Committees

Call for content submissions

Organizational Notices

2020 Virtual Training Conference

Membership application info

Training—USA and Canada

Training—Europe and Oceanic -

Asia

Training—South America

“How would you classify this?”

Online resources

Recently published BPA articles

Published Standards for BPA

(includes two new standards)

Review of the ANSI/ASB

Training Standard

Terminology list added to OSAC

Registry

Did we missed something?

Table of contents

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 2

2020 Officers

President Celestina Rossi Celestina.Rossi@mctx.org

Vice President – Pacific Lauren Sautkulis lauren.sautkulis@sdsheriff.org

Vice President – Mountain Richard Tewes rich.tewes@pioneerforensics.com

Vice President – Central Scott Swick scott.swick@dps.texas.gov

Vice President – Eastern Robert Jones goaliejones@hotmail.com

Vice President – European Daniel Beaumont DanielBeaumont@eurofins.co.uk Vice President – Oceanic-Asean Shawn Harkins hark1sha@police.nsw.gov.au

Sergeant at Arms Lisa Perry Lisa.Perry@mesaaz.gov

Secretary/Treasurer Anthony Mangione amangione@iabpa.org

Historian David Garber DGarber@chulavistapd.org

Dan Rahn Research Grant Committee Chair- Lynne D. Herold

Silke M.C. Brodbeck Martin Eversdijk T. Paulette Sutton Brian Yamashita

Translation Committee Chair- Phillipe Esperanca Sabine Hess Silke Brodbeck Celine Nicloux Andrea Berti

Publications Committee Editor —Jeremy Morris Alison Gingras Nikki Blackwell Jeff Gurvis

Education Committee Chair- Erin Sims Holly Latham Gord Lefebvre Josita Limborgh

Ethics Committee Chair- Rich Tewes Rob Jones Gillian Leak Matt Noedel Colin Hoare

Membership Committee Chair-Anthony Mangione Philippe Esperanca Rob Jones Christine Ramirez Cristina Gonzalez Shawn Harkins Brittany Nelson

Association Committees

Journal of

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Jeremiah A. Morris, Editor

forensicbpa@gmail.com

The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is published quarterly and is the official publication of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is committed to the dissemination of information relevant to the Association, its members, and the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis.

Copyright © 2020 by the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts . Neither the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts nor its Editor assume responsibility for the statements and opinions contained within this publication

“

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 3

Call for manuscript submissions and other relevant content

Organizational Notices

All changes of mailing address need to be supplied by email to our Secretary Anthony Mangione (amangione@iabpa.org). Members also need to update their contact information profiles on the website. The fees for application of membership and yearly dues are $40.00 US each. If you have not received a dues invoice for 2019 please contact Anthony Mangione at amangione@iabpa.org. Also, apparently, non US credit cards are charging a fee above and beyond the $40.00 membership/application fee. Your credit card is charged only $40.00 US by the IABPA. Any additional fees are imposed by the credit card companies. IABPA now accepts the following credit cards:

Discover MasterCard American Express Visa

The goal of the Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is to be the primary venue of information related to the IABPA as well as the science of bloodstain pattern analysis. The Publication Committee can gather information about the Association, upcoming training, and published papers; however, this is only a small part of the available information. We know members of the IABPA—practitioners, instructors, and researchers—are constantly learning new things about the science. Unusual patterns are observed at scenes, training exercises create patterns with unexpected features, or research fills in knowledge gaps. We are asking IABPA members to share this information with others in the discipline by submitting it to the Journal for publication. There are numerous possible contributions which will be accepted:

Images of a pattern with a brief description

Summary of a case and lessons learned

Results of experimentation Manuscripts of a research project

Summary of published articles on a specific topic

Review of new technology or a new product

All case reports, results of experimentation, research projects, and summary articles will go through a true blind peer review process in order to assure any content within these categories is scientifically valid and also of high quality. All material must be original content and cannot have been previously published. Any detection of plagiarism within submitted content will result in an immediate rejection of the content with no option for re-submission. Authors of content specific to a case must have secured appropriate permission to discuss the provided details of the case within the Journal. The Editor reserves the right to request documentation of this permission prior to publishing the material. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Editor or anyone on the Publication Committee.

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 4

Conference Dates: September 29—October 2, 2020

Conference hosts: Kacper Choromanski

Registration: Member—to be determined

Non-member—to be determined

Student—to be determined

Additional info Don't miss it- there's so much to offer!

Lecture sessions and interactive workshops Learn the latest information from experts, researchers and practitioners from

the field Participate in interactive Forensic related discussions Ask relevant questions and be part of the international BPA community. Network and learn from other people in your field from different part of the

world. More details soon!

2020 Annual International Virtual Conference

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 5

Become a member of the IABPA Prior to submitting an online Membership Application, please register HERE for our website and create your

profile. This process allows members to view their membership status and access their payment history and

all form submissions at any time.

There are three types of IABPA Membership for which to apply:

Member type Description Online Application

Associate A member who has NOT completed an IABPA-Approved 40-hour Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course but who desires to become a member of the IABPA for general interests.

APPLY NOW for Associ-ate Membership

Provisional A member who has been recommended by a Full Member in good standing and who has completed a 40-hour Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course that meets the recommendations of the IABPA Education Committee*.

(Course content defined by IABPA Education Com-mittee guidelines include supervised, practical, la-boratory-based practical assignments).

*Course Requirements

APPLY NOW for Associ-ate Membership

Submit a coy of your course certificate HERE.

Full A member in good standing who has held the posi-tion of Provisional Member for at least ONE YEAR, and, who has been recommended based upon efforts in the field of study of bloodstain pattern analysis.

Request for Promotion to Full Membership

Distinguished A member who has rendered significant service to the discipline or the Association and has been awarded the designation by his or her peers*.

*Distinguished Membership status is obtained by nomina-tion by an IABPA Member.

To nominate a Member in good standing for Distin-guished Membership, submit a Nomination Form HERE.

View our current list of Distinguished Members.

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 6

Bloodstain Training United States and Canada

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis I July 06-10, 2020 Bevel, Gardner, & Associates Inc. Richland Police Department 871 George Washington Way Richland, WA, 99352

Bloodstain Pattern Documentation July 07-10, 2020 SIRCHIE University of Michigan-Division of Public Safety & Security Ann Arbor, MI

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis July 20-24, 2020 Forensic Pieces Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Gus George Law Enforcement Academy Richmond, TX Jan Johnson

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Workshop July 27-30, 2020 Great Falls Police Department Great Falls, Montana Michael J. Van Stratton Kevin R. Winer

Advanced Fabrics Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course August 10-14, 2020 Ontario Police College Aylmer, Ontario, Canada Mark Reynolds Ted Silenieks

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis II August 10-14, 2020 Bevel, Gardner, & Associates Inc. Bonneville County Sheriff's Office 3750 East Lincoln Road Idaho Falls, ID, 83401

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis II September 21-25, 2020 Bevel, Gardner, & Associates Inc. Lakewood Police Department 445 S. Allison Pkwy Lakewood, CO 80226

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 05-09, 2020 Institute of Police Technology and Management Jacksonville, Florida Jerry Findley Nancy Sulinski-Steffens

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 05-09, 2020 CSI Academy of Florida 12787 NW US Highway 441 Alachua, FL 32615 Kimberly Long

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis I October 12-16, 2020 Bevel, Gardner, & Associates Inc. Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office 3165 King Ave. E. Billings, MT 59101

Bloodstain Pattern Documentation Class October 19-23, 2020 Sirchie/BEVEL, GARDNER & ASSOCIATES INC. Youngsville, NC Ross M. Gardner

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 26-30, 2020 Forensic Pieces North Palm Beach Police Department North Palm Beach, FL Jan Johnson

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 7

Bloodstain Training United States and Canada

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – Fabrics Course November 2-5, 2020 Bevel, Gardner 7 Associates Inc. Grand Prairie Police Department 1525 Arkansas Lane Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis November 2-6, 2020 Grand Junction Police Department 555 UTE Ave Grand Junction, CO 81501 Iris Dally Graff and Gary Graff

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis November 30-December 04, 2020 CSI Academy of Florida 12787 NW US Highway 441 Alachua, FL 32615 Kimberly Long

Introductory Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Work-shop December 07-11, 2020 Noslow Forensic Consultation, LLC Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute 9601 NW 58th St Doral, FL Toby L. Wolson, M.S., F-ABC

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis February 01-05, 2021 Tritech Forensics Grand Prairie Police Department 1525 Arkansas Lane Grand Prairie, TX 75052 Iris Dally Graff and Gary Graff

How would you classify the below bloodstain? This pattern was published in the June issue of the

Journal. Unfortunately not correct answers were submitted to the Editor. The pattern was created

when a portion of liquid blood was applied to the handle of a golf club. An individual then swung

the handle to strike an object. During the swing, the blood created a flow in the direction of the

yellow arrow. The smaller flows, depicted with the green lines, were created when the moving

handle struck the object. This is a complex pattern of flows created by two different mechanisms.

Answer to pattern classification example

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 8

Bloodstain Training Europe and Oceanic-Asia

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Textiles July 06-10, 2020 RA.SE.T. Formazione/Loci Forensic NV Piazza dei Navigatori 6/a - 00147 Roma, Italy Martin Eversdijk

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course September 07-11, 2020 Loci Forensics Haverstraat 49 2153 GD Nieuw-Vennep The Netherlands Martin Eversdijk and René Gelderman

Fortgeschrittenenkurs/Advanced September 14-18, 2020 (German language instruction) Usingen, Germany Dr. Silke Brodbeck, MD

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 2 (and following alternate weekends) Link Campus University Via del Casale di S. Pio V, 44, Roma 00165 Dr. Erebo Stirpe and Dr. Alexandra Agavrilesei

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 26-30, 2020 Loci Forensics Haverstraat 49 2153 GD Nieuw-Vennep The Netherlands Martin Eversdijk and René Gelderman

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 26-30, 2020 (English language instruction) Usingen, Germany Dr. Silke Brodbeck, MD

Visualization of Latent Bloodstain Course November 23-27, 2020 Loci Forensics Haverstraat 49 2153 GD Nieuw-Vennep The Netherlands Martin Eversdijk and René Gelderman

Basiskurs D/Basic Course November 23-27, 2020 (German language instruction) Usingen, Germany Dr. Silke Brodbeck, MD

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Textile Course December 14-18, 2020 Loci Forensics Haverstraat 49 2153 GD Nieuw-Vennep The Netherlands Martin Eversdijk and René Gelderman

Did we miss something?

Although the Publication Committee works hard to find as many of the training opportunities as we can to include in the Journal, there are likely some courses which we missed. If you know of any upcoming bloodstain-related training which we did not include in the Journal, please contact the Editor or anyone on the Publication Committee so we can include it in the next issue. Additionally, if you know of any open access, online resources which are related to bloodstain pattern analysis, please let us know. Our goal is for the Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis to be a primary source of information around the world regarding bloodstain pattern analysis. You can help us meet this goal by sharing information about resources with us.

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 9

Online Resources

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science Development of standards and guidelines related to bloodstain pattern analysis Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Video Collection High speed digital video analysis of bloodstain pattern formation from common bloodletting mechanisms. BPA-related Presentations at the 2012 Impression Pattern Evidence Symposium Recorded webinar on presentations on approximation of blood drop trajectory, contextual bias, collection of pattern evidence from a body, reasoning and the scientific method in BPA, and developing and implementing BPA SOPs. Bloodstain Documentation and Collection Methods Recorded webinar on a methodology for the documentation, collection, and preservation of blood evidence. Swipes, Wipes and Transfer Impressions Recorded webinar on the different types of these patterns and recognizing the value of them. Error & Uncertainty in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Recorded webinar on a general introduction to the concepts of error and uncertainty and how these concepts apply to quantitative and qualitative aspects of bloodstain pattern analysis.

The Sherlock Blood Spatter Analysis System Freeware developed at Trent University to assist in processing field data and to determine the point of impact for the collected dataset. A data set of bloodstain patterns for teaching and research in bloodstain pattern analysis: Impact beating spatters This is a data set of sixty-one impact patterns scanned at high resolution, generated by controlled impact events corresponding to forensic beating situations. This data set is suitable for training or research purposes in the forensic discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis. A data set of bloodstain patterns for teaching and research in bloodstain pattern analysis: Gunshot backspatters This is a data set of gunshot backspatter patterns scanned at high resolution, generated in controlled experiments. This data set is suitable for training or research purposes in the forensic discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis. Communicating Conclusions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Recorded webinar on how principles of communication science can be applied to reporting writing and courtroom testimony. The meaning received by the audience is not always the meaning intended by the reporting analyst.

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 10

Badbade, P.R. et al. “Effect of Textile Substrate and its Processing on Blood Staining Pattern”. International Journal on Textile Engineering and Processes, vol 5, no 3, July 2019. ISSN 2395-3578.

https://engineering-shirpur.nmims.edu/docs/2%20Effect%20of%20Textile%20Substrate%20and%20its%20Processing%20on%20Blood%20Staining%20Pattern.pdf

Abstract: Modern lifestyle has paved the way for different textile materials in human life. People are interacting with various textile materials like floor coverings, couch spreads, articles of clothing and other miscellaneous applications. Additionally, our chaotic lifestyle results in different kinds of stains on textiles like tea, coffee, ketchup, etc. Bloodstain is one such stain usually found at a crime site. The impact of bloodstains on textile material depends on numerous factors like substrate nature, its texture, fiber composition, finishing treatments, room conditions, etc. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is a central issue of cutting edge logical research encompassing various factors associated with textile material. Out of these variables, in this paper, we have studied the effect of bloodstains on 200 gsm woven and nonwoven fabric after bleaching and bleach mercerization treatment. The same blood drop volume was used at different heights between the substrate and blood syringe to assess the impact.

Dozier, Jayme. “Investigating Directional Characteristics in Swipe Patterns on Fabrics”. Journal of Forensic Identification, vol 70, no 2, 2020, p. 205. https://www.theiai.org/jfi_abstracts.php

Abstract: Bloodstain pattern analysis can be an important investigative aspect to solving crimes involving bloodletting events. Swipe patterns on hard, nonporous surfaces have been the subject of numerous previous studies. Swipe patterns on fabrics have been less studied and are often more complicated because of wicking, backing materials, previous laundering cycles, and other factors. This study was conducted to ascertain whether distinct repeatable characteristics are

observable from unassisted viewing and under microscopic view that would provide knowledge of the directional component of the swiping action. Several observable characteristics were identified that showed that the direction of swipes on fabrics could be determined with fairly high accuracy.

Illes, Mike, and Paul Wilson. "Forensic Epistemology: Exploring Case-Specific Research in Forensic Science". Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, vol 53, no. 1, 2020, pp. 26-40. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/00085030.2020.1736811.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00085030.2020.1736811?casa_token=MRFWMF5iN80AAAAA%3A-U_LF8mUOluAS98YY7xF5LyhEY7vz3Ke1pbrwx378uxcB2Kx6fu5AcvaamUQ13FfnPryKpp1Om-1ZKM

Abstract: Our inquiry into forensic epistemology explores the use of data types for case-specific research within three pattern interpretation disciplines. It also examines the epistemic status of practitioner case experimentation in forensic science. We developed three cases from different pattern-interpretation disciplines: a friction ridge analysis; a bloodstain pattern analysis; and a footwear impression analysis. For each case, a series of experiments were derived using three different data types: a quantitative approach (using numeric data), a qualitative approach (using image data) and a mixed-method approach (using both numeric and image data). We supplied data analyses that would be common knowledge for any academic researcher. Electronic files were compiled for each case and research method and forwarded by Qualtrics Software to forensic practitioners within the prescribed discipline. Demographic questions on practitioner education level and years of experience were included in the survey, along with open-ended comment areas. The dependent variable is the participants’ percentage confidence in providing an opinion from the data type used. ANOVA analyses indicated that the practitioners were more confident using a mixed-method data approach. No differences were found between the

Recent BPA Articles Published in the Scientific Literature

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 11

percentage confidence levels and discipline type. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the confidence levels and years of experience or the participants’ education level. The qualitative data analysis validated the quantitative results in that the practitioners were more confident with a mixed-method research approach

.

Smith, F. R. et al. "A New Forensic Tool to Date Human Blood Pools". Scientific Reports, vol 10, no. 1, 2020. Springer Science and Business Media LLC, doi:10.1038/s41598-020-65465-4.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65465-4?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+srep%2Frss%2Fcurrent+%28Scientific+Reports%29

Abstract: Courtrooms are asking for reliable scientific evidence in order to prevent wrongful convictions. Thus, a more rigorous approach to forensic science approved by scientific methods is promoted. The study of human blood dynamics in the context of forensic science is becoming a widespread research topic, although the physics behind wetting and drying of blood is not completely understood. Based on the morphological changes of drying blood pools, the following work presents a patentable method to quantitatively date these blood pools for forensic purposes. As for drying drops of blood, cracking patterns are observed but they are more disordered. Similar disordered crack patterns are observed in the case of gels, their evaporation process is, therefore, presented since this topic has been thoroughly investigated. We aim to find reliable patterns that could give information concerning the evolution of a blood pool over time to lead to practical application of this knowledge. An empirical model is established between final dried blood patterns and the generating mechanism, yielding application in bloodstain pattern analysis for forensic investigations.

Sparer, Andreas et al. "Storability of Porcine Blood in Forensics: How Far Should We Go?". Forensic Science International, vol 311, June 2020, p. 110268. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110268.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073820301304

Abstract: Previous studies on the storability of porcine blood for bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) focused on abattoir blood only and did not include measurements of viscoelasticity. Although known to provoke echinocyte formation, EDTA is widely used for BPA issues. We compared ageing samples taken from live pigs with abattoir blood and detected considerable differences in hematocrit (HCT), total protein and shear viscosity that even worsened with time. Upon storage, high shear viscosity continuously increased, resulting in a partial loss of the typical shear thinning property of blood. Furthermore, we explored CPDA-1, the gold standard in preserving red blood cells (RBCs), for storage of forensic samples. We found it to be a superior choice for anticoagulation, as the rise of high shear viscosity was attenuated compared to EDTA. When performing oscillation measurements, we found a sudden change of viscoelasticity of blood after 22 days, providing a cut-off for storage time. To highlight the importance of hematological and hemorheological changes upon cold storage, we performed simple drip pattern experiments. These tests revealed a tendency to smaller stain diameters and higher numbers of satellite spatter. While this contradicts expectations from elevated viscosity values, we associate this trend to microscopic inhomogeneities due to storage. We recommend CPDA-1 for prolonged storage of BPA samples and suggest the use of comprehensive test protocols including viscoelasticity for determination of the maximum shelf life of pig blood.

Stojanović, Ivan et al. "Effect of Incomplete Sampling Description In DNA Reports on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Reconstruction of a Crime Scene". Medicine, Science and The Law, 2020, p. 002580242092687. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1177/0025802420926876.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0025802420926876

Abstract: DNA analysts in forensic laboratories are engaged in analysing and sampling bloodstains from bloodstained items. Detailed

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 12

and precise descriptions of bloodstains on items of interest are very important for bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA). DNA and BPA reports were examined from forensic laboratories in Serbia (N = 88). About 400 reports were observed from the past three years. First, we analysed descriptions of items (clothing and shoes) in DNA reports, and special attention was paid to descriptions of bloodstains. Subsequently, we estimated the value of descriptions of bloodstained items of interest in linking specific types of bloodstains to the obtained DNA profiles. Observed descriptions of bloodstained items in DNA reports are usually limited to phrases. A major problem exists in cases where several people were injured in the same bloodshed event. Connecting specific types of bloodstains to obtained DNA profiles is essential for the reconstruction of crime events. The complete analysis should therefore include detailed descriptions of all types of observed and sampled bloodstains. In DNA laboratories that are within a larger institute, it would be more appropriate and productive if BPA and DNA experts examined bloodstained items cooperatively. Moderately sized laboratories have a limited number of employees. So, in those DNA laboratories, it would be more appropriate to educate DNA analysts in the basic principles of BPA.

Stotesbury, Theresa et al. "An Exploratory Time Since Deposition Analysis of Whole Blood Using Metrics of DNA Degradation and Visible Absorbance Spectroscopy". Pure and Applied Geophysics, 2020. Springer Science and Business Media LLC, doi:10.1007/s00024-020-02494-0.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00024-020-02494-0

Abstract: Establishing the age of a bloodstain provides forensic investigators with critical information on the time that a crime occurred. Our work presents a time since deposition (TSD) analysis that integrates visible absorbance spectroscopy and high-resolution automated electrophoresis data to quantify light absorbance and DNA degradation of whole blood over time. Passive bloodstains were created and treated on either FTA cards without anticoagulant or in microcentrifuge tubes with anticoagulant and tested over 11 different timepoints across 15 days at controlled temperature and relative humidity.

A total of 41 variables were analyzed using linear regression, with six variables showing statistical independence and a relationship to time. A general negative trend was noticeable for the visible absorbance of α and β bands and concentration of high molecular weight DNA of the samples over time. We then conducted a principle component analysis (PCA) of all variables; the principal components integrated both DNA and absorbance data and generally improved the model fit (i.e. increased R2). Importantly, our PCA findings demonstrated that the experimental effect of treatment and donor was largely accounted for in PC1, with PC2 reflecting the true relationship of the integrated metrics to time. Our data set and models are publicly available in an effort to build upon this study by incorporating environmental variables.

Sullivan, Brittni. “Vanishing Blood Stains: Determining the Optimum Apparel Fabric and Residential Lighting Conditions for a Bloodstain to Disappear” 2020. Forensic Science Graduate Research Project. George Mason University. http://ebot.gmu.edu/handle/1920/11745

Abstract: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is one of the most important forensic crime scene techniques to date. Fluid dynamics with blood remain relatively similar across the board, which is why many researchers remain focused on specific patterns and what they can reveal about the movements of contributors in a scene. As a bloodstain pattern analyst becomes more proficient in the identification of certain stains, the advanced analyst will begin to study the effect of blood on fabrics. It is well known within the field of BPA that Alternate Light Sources (ALS) are required in most scenes containing blood evidence. This researcher sought to identify which specific fabrics (color and composition) best mask blood stains under residential lighting conditions. Determining the fabric which best disguised a given blood stain will prove useful to the Crime Scene Technician (CST) as well as the subsequent litigation team. If a person alleged they observed “bloody clothing” on a subject/victim, this research answered whether this observation was possible to the untrained eye. Additionally, the results sought to determine the optimum fabric type, pattern, and color to best disguise blood on apparel fabric at a scene. When the “optimum

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 13

fabric” was observed at a given crime scene with potential blood evidence, this research would trigger the crime scene technician to utilize an ALS, as well as submit the item for in-depth analysis at the laboratory. A sample of fabrics was tested using recent statistics of U.S. consumption of fabric. This ensured an equal sampling of the general American population, and included various solid color and printed fabrics. Additionally, the sample fabrics included various military uniforms (Army Multicam, Marine Combat Utility Uniform, Navy Working Uniform, and Airman Battle Uniform) to make

the study relevant to the Department of Defense. The various fabric types and patterns provided different qualities with the respective blood stains that were subsequently measured to gain quantitative results. The fabric samples were placed in four separate indoor lighting conditions, and the contrast of the stains were objectively measured and determined there was no significant difference between each light source. This research ultimately determined there was a significant difference between the construction and color of the fabric.

Published standards related to BPA

AAFS Standards Board (United States) ASB Technical Report 033, Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, First Edition, 2017 A list of recommended terms and definitions for bloodstain pattern analysis is presented. These terms and definitions address basic bloodstain pattern types and related concepts. ANSI/ASB Standard 072, Standard for the Validation of Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, First Edition, 2019 This document applies to the validation of procedures for bloodstain pattern analysis casework and new equipment. It also applies to the internal validation of established procedures existing within the BPA community when such procedures are being used for the first time within an agency. ANSI/ASB Standard 030, Standard for a Quality Assurance Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, First Edition, 2019 This document provides requirements for establishing and maintaining a documented quality assurance program in bloodstain

pattern analysis to forensic service providers. A quality assurance program is necessary to ensure the quality of the work product that comes from any forensic service provider. ANSI/ASB Standard 032, Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, First Edition, 2020 This document provides minimum pre-training educational requirements for an individual currently in, or entering into, a bloodstain pattern analyst training program and the minimum training requirements that a trainee must successfully complete prior to practicing as a bloodstain pattern analyst. Forensic Science Regulator (United Kingdom) FSR-C-102, Codes of practice and conduct: bloodstain pattern analysis, Issue 1, 2015 This document provides further explanation of some of the requirements of bloodstain pattern analysis. Additionally, this document specifically relates to the classification and identification of bloodstain patterns at crime scenes and in the laboratory

JBPA, Volume 35, Number 2 Home page 14

Review of the ANSI/ASB Training Standard

In April 2020, the AAFS Standards Board in the United States approved a new standard which deserves special attention as it will have a significant impact on the progression of BPA in the United States. This is ANSI/ASB Standard 032 which details the pre-training and training requirements for individuals seeking to become bloodstain pattern analysts. The standard replaces the Guidelines for the Minimum Educational and Training Requirements for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts which was previously published by the Scientific Working Group on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (SWGSTAIN). One of the more significant changes incorporated into the new standard deals with the educational requirements for individuals considering being trained in BPA. The new standard reads “The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree and shall have coursework in trigonometry and science related coursework and laboratory work in biology, physics, and chemistry from an accredited institution.” A special comment is included that the word “should” regarding the Bachelor’s degree will change to “shall” in five years. This is a major

departure from the pre-training requirements as outlined in the SWGSTAIN guidelines which allowed relevant experience to be a suitable substitute for a four-year degree. Experience-alone is no longer adequate. A special note is included regarding this educational requirement. The note clarifies this requirement only applies to future bloodstain analysts and is not to be applied to individuals already trained to competency in BPA. The new standard maintains the requirement for the training of the new analyst to be guided by a mentor. Additionally, the standard requires completion of a documented mentorship program of at least year prior to competency testing. The competency testing can be cumulative or incremental. The incremental authorization approach would allow analysts to perform some task such as photography while still completing training in other tasks. ANSI/ASB Standard 032, Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, First Edition, 2020

BPA terminology list added to OSAC Registry

Technical Report 033, Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, issued by the AAFS Standards Board (United States), was recently included on the Registry published by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC). As stated by OSAC, the Registry, “serves as a repository of scientifically sound forensic science standards that address discipline-specific forensic science needs.” “OSAC elevates [standards developing organization] published standards to the Registry as an endorsement of the document’s high quality and to encourage its use by relevant stakeholders in the forensic science community.”

The ASB Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis document is the first bloodstain-specific document to be added to the OSAC Registry. OSAC Registry Approved Standards for all forensic disciplines can be viewed here.