ABSTRACT
Bloodstains in the form of characteristic patterns such as spatter, flows, transfers, and drips are associated with crimes of violence and injury and can be interpreted to help in the reconstruction of bloodshed events. Bloodstain patterns will often be visible on the walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as intermediary objects associated with a violent incident. Only a properly trained bloodstain pattern analyst should interpret these patterns. Bloodstain pattern analysis is best accomplished at the scene by an expert; however, if the scene is properly documented and processed, a complete bloodstain pattern analysis can be accomplished at a later date. Bloodstain documentation is more effective when the death scene investigator has been trained as a minimum in basic pattern recognition. In some instances, once all other scene processing efforts are completed, the use of chemical blood enhancement techniques to better visualize the latent blood may prove beneficial.
