Bloodstain patterns at a crime scene can reveal important information. By studying the shape, size and distribution pattern, an analyst can provide expert opinion on the physical events that created the bloodstain patterns. The analysis can refute or confirm suspects, victims and witness statements.
The first responding officers are responsible for appropriately protecting bloodstain evidence at the scene. Bloodstain pattern analysts should only be requested to attend a scene after consultation with the Forensic Identification member. Early involvement of a specially trained bloodstain pattern analyst can save time and effort by determining, if a case is a serious assault or murder versus a natural cause or self-inflicted injury.
Information a bloodstain pattern analysis may provide to an investigator: