ABSTRACT
Lack of thoroughness may be the number one complaint bloodstain examiners have when reviewing a case (Figure 8.1). Failure by the scene investigator to completely and accurately photograph a bloodletting event can hinder any criminal investigation. Each and every stain pattern must be individually photographed in a manner by which the stain can be oriented within the crime scene and angles of impact or other important properties of the stain and/ or pattern can be determined. Remember, one of the most important rules in crime scene photography is that the value of completeness always overrides the cost of film. Since most law enforcement agencies have converted to digital imaging, there is absolutely no excuse for incomplete scene documentation. Also as a reminder, crime scene investigators must avoid tunnel vision. Bloodstain and bloodstain patterns only have meaning and value if they can be placed into context with the scene. Therefore, photographers must strive to completely document the whole scene and not just the most interesting bloodstain patterns.
