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FORENSIC HEMATOLOGY: THE RELEVANCE OF BLOOD STAIN PATTERN

ANALYSIS IN RESOLVING CRIME IN THIS CENTURY.

Presentation · January 2017

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 FORENSIC HEMATOLOGY: THE RELEVANCE OF BLOOD
STAIN PATTERN ANALYSIS IN RESOLVING CRIME IN THIS
CENTURY.
BY

ODOZI EFEOTA BRIGHT

A LEARN AND TEACH RESEARCH DRIVEN PRESENTATION AT THE 30TH MEETING OF FORENSIC AND
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT GROUP, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA.

JANUARY, 2017.

1
 Background
• Blood is a type of cell that circulates within the body to
assist in different functions of the body.

• There are about 30 trillion red blood cell (RBC) and 430
billion white.
• Blood is the most common, and perhaps most
important, form of evidence in criminal justice today.
• The presence of blood always links a suspect to the
scene of the crime.
• Bloodstain patterns tell a lot about position and
movement during the crime.
• Blood pattern indicates who struck whom first, in what
manner, and how many times.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 2
• Forensic hematology is the science that deals with
the application of medical knowledge in detailed
study of blood and blood components in order to
aid in solving criminal and legal questions (Odozi
and Odozi, 2016).

• Forensic or legal medicine has been described as a

key to the past, the explanation of the present, and
to some extent a signpost to the future.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern

3
analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright
 The history
• Blood stain pattern analysis (BSPA) has been used
informally for centuries. The first modern study of it was
in 1895 when Eduard Piotrowski of the University of
Kraków published a paper “on the formation, form,
direction, and spreading of blood stains after blunt
trauma to the head”.
The implications
• LeMoyne Snyder's homicide investigation indicated that:
(a) blood dries at a relatively predictable rate
(b) arterial blood has a brighter red color than other blood
(c) bloodstains tend to fall in certain patterns based on
the motion of an attacker and victim.
Brodbeck (2012).
Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright

4
The cases in view
• The second modern origin of the study of BPSA is the Sam Sheppard case in
1954, when the wife of an osteopathic physician was beaten to death in her
home.
• Further growth of interest and use of the significance of blood stain evidence is
a direct result of the scientific research and practical applications of bloodstain
theory by Herbert Leon MacDonell of Corning, New York.

• His research resulted in his publication of the first modern treatise on BSPA in
1971, entitled “flight characteristics and stain patterns of human blood”.
The unionization
• The first formal bloodstain training course was given by MacDonnel in 1973 in
Jackson, Mississippi. In 1983, the International Association of Bloodstain
Pattern Analysts (IABSPA) was founded by a group of blood stain analysts to
help develop the emerging field.
The Biological considerations
• Blood contains erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes which are
suspended within plasma.
Brodbeck (2012).
Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright

5
The place of the biomedical scientist in BSPA
• Upon exiting the body, blood stain transit from bright red to dark brown, which is attributed to
oxidation of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO2) to methemoglobin (met-Hb) and hemichrome (HC).

• Oxy-hemoglobin (HbO2) oxidation methemoglobin (met-Hb) + hemichrome (HC).

• The fractions of HbO2, met-Hb and HC in a bloodstain can be used for age determination of
blood stains and can be measured by reflectance spectroscopy (RS).

• In vivo hemoglobin molecules are mainly present in two forms: oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and
deoxyhemoglobin (Hb), both have iron in the Fe2+ state. HbO2 can auto-oxidize into met-Hb,
which contains iron in the Fe3+ state.

• When met-Hb is formed in vivo it will be reduced back to Hb by reductase protein (cytochrome
B5), resulting in 1%) of met-Hb in a healthy situation.
• Outside the body, hemoglobin saturates completely with oxygen in ambient environment to
HbO2. Due to the decreasing availability of cytochrome B5 necessary for reduction of met-Hb,
the transition of HbO2 into met-Hb will be in contrast to in vivo condition.
• Once hemoglobin is autooxidized to met-Hb, it will denature to hemichrome (HC), which is
formed by an internal conformational change of the heme group.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 6
The physical considerations
• In physics there are two continuous physical states of
matter (solid and fluid).
• Once blood leaves the body it behaves as a fluid and all
physical laws apply.
• Gravity acts on blood as soon as it exits the body.
• Viscosity is the amount of internal friction in the fluid.
It describes the resistance of a liquid to flow.
• Surface tension is the force that maintains the shape
of a drop of liquid, such as blood. When two medium
are in contact with each other (blood and air), there
will be forces attracting all molecules to each other.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 7
The crime laboratory
• The laboratory unit analyzes evidence such as blood, semen, saliva,
bones, plant matter, and insects. Bodily fluids are some of the major
forms of evidence handled by that unit and can be used to conduct DNA
fingerprinting to identify both the victims and the perpetrators of violent
crimes. Blood stain patterns, especially back and forward splattering,
can reveal the positioning of an assailant and victim.

• Serology is the study of serums such as blood and other human fluids.
In 1901 Karl Landsteiner, a researcher at the University of Vienna,
published his discovery that human blood could be grouped into distinct
types, which became known as the ABO blood group system. In 1915
the Italian scientist Leone Lattes developed a simple method for
determining the blood type of a dried blood stain.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright
Blood spatter flight characteristics

• Experiments with blood have shown that a drop of blood tends to form into a sphere in flight
rather than the artistic teardrop shape as seen in free fall.

• The formation of the sphere is a result of surface tension that binds the molecules together.

• This spherical shape of blood in flight is important for the calculation of the angle of impact of
blood spatter when it hits a surface (fig. 1b).

• That angle will be used to determine the point from which the blood originated which is called
the area of origin (fig. 2b).

• A single spatter of blood is not enough to determine the area of origin at a crime scene.

• The determination of the angles of impact and placement of the area of origin should be based
on the consideration of a number of stains and preferably stains from opposite sides of the
pattern to create the means to triangulate.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 9
The angle of impact: automated approach
• Accurate measurement of stain and calculation of the angle of
impact requires due diligence of the analyst.

• In the past, analysts have used a variety of instruments, but

current methods include:

1. Viewing loupe with an embedded scale in 0.2 mm increments

2. The analyst then uses a scientific calculator or spreadsheet to
complete the calculation.
3. BSPA software that superimposes an ellipse over a scaled
close-up image of an individual’s blood stain, for an onward
calculation of the angle of impact.

• For example, using BSPA software such as HemoSpat produces

an accurate result which is measurable and reproducible.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright
10
Figure 1 (L-R): a- upward moving blood stain showing proper ellipse placement; b- angle of impact.

11
Area of origin
• The area of origin is the point where the blood source
was located at the time of the bloodletting incidence
(fig. 2b).
• It includes the area of convergence with a third
dimension in the z direction. Since the z-axis is
perpendicular to the floor, the area of origin has three
dimensions (volume) (fig. 1b).
Point and area of convergence
• The point of convergence is the intersection of two
blood stain paths (fig. 3a).
• The area of convergence is the box formed by the
intersection of several stains from opposite sides of
the impact pattern (fig. 3b).
Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 12
Figure 2 (L-R): a- horizontal body in a crime scene; b- Area of origin (blue area representing a volume in 3D space)

13
Figure 3 (L-R): a-point of convergence; b- area of convergence. 14
The Photographic documentation

• Crime scene photography has some unique requirements. When there is a bloodletting scene,
the basics are still required but special attention must be given to the blood stain (fig. 4a and b).

• The current means of documenting the scene include 35 mm digital cameras and video recorder
(Hi-8, DV, and other formats). Each method has its pros and cons.

• There are three types of crime scene photos:

• • Overall: this is a wide-angle image (28–35 mm range) that capture the scene as it is. This
type of image provides anyone who has not been in the scene a good overview of
happening.

• • Mid-range: it is the image taken with a normal lens (45–55 mm range) which give greater
detail than the overall shots. In the case of a bloodletting scene, the mid-range
image could capture a single blood stain pattern.

• • Close-up: this is an image taken with a macro lens and it gives the greatest amount of
detail. For example, a medium velocity impact pattern can contain thousands of individual
stains where there are numerous small stains (1–3 mm in diameter).

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 15
Figure 4 (L-R): a- crime scene photographer; b- crime scene photographer adopting higher computer approach.

16
DNA profiling
• The use of bloodstains as evidence is not new; however, the application of
modern science especially DNA profiling has brought it to a higher level since
the 1970s and '80s. New technologies, especially advances in DNA analysis, are
available for biomedical scientist, detectives and criminologists to use in
solving crimes and apprehending offenders.
• DNA technology has taken an irreplaceable position in the field of forensic
sciences. Since 1985, when Peter Gill and Alex Jeffreys first applied DNA
technolo1gy to forensic problems, more than 50,000 cases worldwide have been
solved through the use of DNA based technology (DBT).
• Although the development of DNA typing in forensic science has been extremely
rapid, today we are witnessing a new era of DBT including automation and
miniaturization.
• In forensic science, DNA analysis has become "the new form of scientific
evidence" and has come under public scrutiny and the demand to show
competence. More and more courts admit DBT when used as source of
evidence.
• We believe that in the near future this technology will be generally accepted in
the legal system.
Primorac and Schanfield (2000).

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 17
The networth of BSPA in court
• The cross-fire: BSPA has a solid foundation in science and can be a useful tool
for investigators, the reliability of courtroom testimony by analysts has come
under fire in recent years.

• Training: Care needs to be taken to ensure that analysts has appropriate

credentials and training.

• Reliability: Even with proper training and methods, there are still instances
where court disagrees with BSPA as evidence.

• Precision: Though, BSPA is not an exact science just as most verdict in court
might only be relatively correct based on available evidence, it holds a place of
significance in forensic hematology, criminology and other select areas.

• The verdict: To a reasonable extent, BSPA has found a comfortable place in the
court of law and acceptance is on the increase.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 18
Scenes where BSPA has found a place
In crime
• David Camm’s case: He was tried three times for the murder of
his family largely on the basis of blood spatter evidence, both
prosecution and the defense used expert BSP analysts to
interpret the source of the approximately 8 drops of blood on his
shirt.
In movies (popular culture)
• Sam Tyler, the time-travelling detective in episode 3 of the Emmy
Award-winning BBC TV series Life on Mars
• Serial killer Dexter Morgan of the Dexter novels
and Showtime series is a blood spatter analyst for the fictitious
Miami Metro Police Department.
• Julie Finlay is a blood spatter analyst on the CBS crime scene
investigation.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 19
Recommendation
Our FORDEC as an academic and socially responsive body should endeavor
to equip participants with practical knowledge because what we hear and
read, we might forget, but what we see and practicalize might stay for a
lifetime.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright

20
Conclusion
• In an attempt for science to solve legal issues, the fall out
of words in the legal room could be more destructive than
hydrogen bombs and cosmic rays in synergy.

• This could be attributed to the notion that science (forensic

hematology) is discovering while the legal world hinges on
“right evidence”.

• Hence, my noble field (forensic hematology viz-a-viz BSPA)

just as other profession is still an evolving field that might
need handsome time to prove itself before the jury
stemming from the fact that science in itself is dynamic.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 21
Reference

Brodbeck, S. (2012). Introduction to bloodstain pattern analysis. Journal for Police Science and Practice 2: 51-57.
Dominguez, V. E. D., Ruiz, C. M. T., Rubio, J. J. and de-Andrés, S. (1981). Equality of the in vivo and in vitro oxygen-
binding capacity of hemoglobin in patients with severe respiratory disease. British Journal of Anesthesia 53 (12): 1325-1328.
Ganong, W. F. (2003). Review of medical physiology. 21st edition. Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, New York. 518pp.
Odozi, E. B and Odozi, I. P. (2016). Brief definition of forensic hematology for a learn and teach research driven presentation
at the 30th meeting of forensic and research development group, university of Benin, Benin city, Nigeria. Unpublished.
Primorac, D. and Schanfield, M. S. (2000). Application of forensic DNA testing in the legal system. Croatian Medical Journal
41 (1):32-46.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright

22
I appreciate
your kind
audience
(wa rue ese)
Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright 23
 • FUT1 mutation and loss of fucosyl transferase function result in
Bombay disease in which an individual cannot receive a transfusion
from any other blood type (Schafer et al., 2011).
• R. Schafer, et al (2011). Expression of blood group genes by
mesenchymal stem cells Br. J. Haematol. 153 (4): 520 - 528.

Forensic hematology: the relevance of blood stain pattern

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analysis in resolving crime in this century by Odozi Efeota Bright

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