ABSTRACT
Bloodstain pattern analysis has become an arena of specialization in forensic sciences and deals with how bloodstains arise after blood is discharged from the body. This chapter offers the basic principles and common inferences behind bloodstain pattern analysis to give the reader general acquaintance to use at the crime scene. Bloodstain pattern analysis in its very core is based on the age-old Biblical dictum “Blood never lies.” The precise appearance and location of each bloodstain at a crime scene is very important. The blood follows the laws of fluid mechanics and responds under similar physical conditions that form the base of bloodstain pattern analysis. Therefore, each bloodstain pattern situated at a crime scene must be properly documented in notes, photographs, and sketches. Bloodstain pattern evidence requires much experience and testing of the surface characteristics of the target to determine how blood falling on that surface will behave. Bloodstain pattern interpretation courses are available, and it is highly recommended that such a course of study be taken prior to attempting this technique on actual casework. Training and experience will allow for the greatest amount of useful information to be derived from this technique.
