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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BASIC BODY TISSUES: •blood

•connective tissue

•epithelium

•nerve tissue

•muscle

•bone

•cartilage

EXPANDING YOUR UNDERSTANDING: how to recognize the tissues macroscopically

and microscopically

exploring some structural relationships among tissues, other structures, organs and systems

how to collect and preserve different tissue, structure and organ types

MULTI-INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:lecture

group viewing macro- and micro-

individual hands-on exercises

YOUR OPINION

REPLY NOW !!!

WHAT FORMAT BEST SUITS YOUR INTEREST IN THE TOPICS ?

[email protected]

THE FORMAT OF THIS LECTURE & WORKSHOP IS:

•2-3 hours lecture/group viewing at general session

•4 hour optional workshop exercises, very limited capacity

OTHER FORMAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON

GENERAL INTEREST AND ABILITY TO MEET LOGISTICS.

all lecture/general viewing, no hands-on workshop

all lecture/workshop to limited capacity group, all day

other format ideas/preferences you may have

PRESENTATION BY LYNNE D. HEROLD, PH.D., BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT,

SCIENTIFIC SERVICES BUREAU/TRACE SECTION

LECTURE/WORKSHOP TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP BY

mailto:[email protected]




Table of Contents

IABPA 2011 Officers 1

President’s Message 2

Newly Elected 2011 IAPBA Officers 3

IABPA Committee Appointments for 2011 12

Committee Reports for March 2011 16

Why Might the IABPA Need a New Code of Ethics?

Carolyn Gannett 19

IABPA Code of Ethics Draft

Carolyn Gannett 22

Visualizing Bloodstain Patterns on Dark or Multi-colored,

Multi-designed Clothing Using Luminol and

Adobe Photoshop® Layers

Tom Hill 29

Dan Rahn Memorial Grant Award Recipient for 2011 34

Evaluation of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope

For Use in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Daniel E. Mabel and Stuart H. James 35

IABPA Annual Training Conference for 2011 41

Update on BPA Activities in Turkey 43

SWGSTAIN Update 44

Abstracts of Recent Articles in the Scientific Literature 45

Organizational Notices 46

Training Opportunities 47

Editor’s Corner 52

Past Presidents of the IABPA 53

Publication Committee – Associate Editors 53

Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 1 Vol. 27, No.1. March 2011

2011 IABPA Officers

PRESIDENT

Todd A. Thorne [email protected]

Vice President, Region I Vice President, Region II

John Amish Leah Innocci [email protected] [email protected]

Vice President, Region III Vice President, Region IV

Rex T. Sparks Jeffrey Scozzafava [email protected] [email protected]

Vice President, Region V Vice President, Region VI

Peter Lamb Brett McCance

[email protected]. [email protected]

Secretary / Treasurer Sergeant at Arms Norman Reeves Anthony Mangione [email protected] [email protected]

Immediate Past President Historian

Iris Dalley Stuart H. James [email protected] [email protected]




President’s Message

I hope this finds each and every one of you well. I must say that, here in Wisconsin, we are

keeping very warm basking in the glory of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl victory!! I would like to start by thanking each one of you for your continued support of the IABPA. Without our members, this great organization would not be what it is today. We will continue to move forward with keeping our members educated regarding our discipline. As we press forward into 2011, let me bring you up to date with what your Board has been doing to serve you since January 1, 2011.

As you can clearly see by the looks of the new IABPA publication, we have been very busy working hard to raise the bar of the IABPA. We now have a journal! It will be up to ALL OF US to see that we fulfill the expectations of the contents. Please submit your contributions to Editor Stuart James. ―Thank you‖ to the entire Publication Committee and to those of you whom Stuart consulted for your hard work in getting our journal designed and off the ground effectively.

You will also notice the committees have been appointed and listed within the pages of our journal. There have been topics that have been on the table for some time--topics that need to be resolved. These committees will be working hard to ensure that this is done. Should any of you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please contact your regional Vice President. If you prefer feel free to contact me directly. I would love to hear your ideas.

Our Bylaws Committee, led by Carolyn Gannett, is working very hard to rewrite our Bylaws, as well as the ethics code, to strengthen the validity of what the IABPA is all about: integrity in reporting the truth. The Internet Committee is gearing up to see what options we may have for a new Web page. We are also looking at implementing an IABPA awards program. The Certification Research Committee will be reporting suggestions on how to structure and implement BPA certification testing. There is so much going on and so much more to do. Won’t you all join me in contributing to our organization? It will become what we make it! Respectfully, Todd A. Thorne


Newly Elected 2011 IABPA Officers

Todd A. Thorne works in both the law enforcement and private communities. Todd is well

versed in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Forensic Photography, Evidence Processing Techniques as well as Crime Scene Reconstruction. He is also a Latent Fingerprint Examiner. Todd has a variety of published articles and photographs in these disciplines. Todd has been working in the field of criminalistics for over 25 years and continually offers expert testimony/consultation. He is a certified State of Wisconsin and Illinois Instructor. Todd is a sought after speaker and is an adjunct instructor in the area of Forensic Science for several colleges throughout the country. In addition, he has served on Wisconsin's Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Evidence Training Team. Todd has been a member of the Federal Government's U.S. Department of Homeland Security, serving with the DMORT V Disaster Response Unit. He operates Todd A. Thorne & Associates Forensic Consultants and Photography Services, LLC, which has exposed him to both national and international cases.

Todd instructs throughout the country for The Lynn Peavey Company and has been called upon for technical consultation/research by various entities. Todd has served the Wisconsin Association for Identification as President, Chairman of the Board and has chaired numerous committees, The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis as Region 3 Vice President, Associate Editor and The Kenosha Professional Police Association as the secretary. Todd's hobbies include family activities, church activities, camping and photography. He is married with 5 children.

PRESIDENT

Todd A. Thorne

Kenosha Police Department

Kenosha, Wisconsin


Criminalist III John Amish received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and

Microbiology from Northern Arizona University in 1977. He then attended a Medical Technology Internship program in Ventura California and became a licensed Medical Technologist in 1979. In 1983 he attended the Oregon State Police Academy and upon graduation began his Forensic career in the Medford, Oregon Crime Laboratory in 1984. Criminalist Amish became a bloodstain pattern analyst in 1985 receiving training from Oregon State Police Lieutenants Gary Knowles and Jim Pex and has attended Ross Gardner’s advanced bloodstain pattern analysis course.

Additional current forensic duties include chemistry, firearms examination, crime scene processing and reconstruction. He is the current core group leader in crime scene analysis. Criminalist Amish is a current member in three Forensic Organizations including the IABPA, ACSR, and NWAFS.

VICE PRESIDENT – REGION I

John Amish


When I took my 40-hour basic course in the summer of 2007, I was hooked. It was taught by

Mike Van Stratton. I remember how enthused he was about his work and about teaching bloodstain pattern analysis. I took an advanced class with Tom Bevel later that year. Again, the passion shown by Tom and the other students make a great impression on me. In October of 2007 I attended my first IABPA conference in San Antonio, Texas. I have tried to bring the professionalism and dedication I learned there to my job at the Wyoming State Crime Lab.

I continued to learn, perform experiments, and to take classes. In 2009 I was honored to become the vice-president for the Rocky Mountain Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. I have served as President of this exceptional organization since 2010. In 2010 I finished writing a training program and a quality assurance program for the Wyoming State Crime Lab. I will start training another analyst later this year: her commitment to bloodstain pattern analysis is a great as mine.

In addition to bloodstain pattern analysis, I work as a latent print examiner and a crime scene investigator for the state. I am also a part-time deputy coroner/investigator for Laramie County. Serving as a Vice-President, Region II for IABPA is a real pleasure for me. In some small way, I hope to advance the practice that I have come to love.

VICE PRESIDENT - REGION II

Leah Innocci

Wyoming State Crime Laboratory

Cheyenne, Wyoming


Rex T. Sparks has a thirty seven year career in forensic science and crime scene processing

that began with the Story County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department. He is currently an Identification Technician with the Des Moines, Iowa Police Department as well as a private forensic consultant and also instructs forensic courses. He has a total of over 1800 hours of training in forensic disciplines including bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene and shooting reconstruction, photography and advanced crime scene technology. Mr. Sparks has completed basic/advanced bloodstain pattern analysis courses at Northwestern University in Chicago, Corning, NY, Lincoln, Nebraska and Des Moines, Iowa. He has attended numerous IABPA Annual Training Conferences including the International IABPA Conference in Middelburg, Zeeland, the Netherlands. He is a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

VICE PRESIDENT - REGION III

Rex T. Sparks

Des Moines Police Department

Des Moines, Iowa


Jeff Scozzafava is a Detective in the Forensic Investigations Unit of the Somerset County

Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey. His primary function is crime scene investigation. Jeff is also a member of the County Prosecutor's Office Dive-Rescue Team, is a Team Leader of the Arson Task Force and is member of the NJ Division of Criminal Justice Police Shooting Response Team. Jeff routinely teaches various forensic topics to Somerset County law enforcement agencies, arson investigation techniques for the NJ Division of Criminal Justice's biannual Arson Investigator's Course, forensic science for Centenary College of NJ and Raritan Valley College and has taught crime scene investigation techniques overseas for the United States Department of Justice. Jeff is a retired New Jersey State Trooper who was assigned as a Detective in the Crime Scene Investigation Unit for the majority of his State Police career. Jeff has been recognized as an expert witness in Federal and State courts regarding crime scene investigation/reconstruction, fingerprint identification and bloodstain pattern analysis. Jeff has been an active member of the IABPA, attending every conference since becoming a member in 2001. At previous IABPA conferences, Jeff has presented BPA case studies during the general session and has instructed workshops regarding courtroom testimony techniques and infra red photography. Before being elected as Vice President of Region IV, Jeff served as Sgt. at Arms from 2009-2010.

VICE PRESIDENT – REGION IV

Jeff Scozzafava

Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office

Somerville, New Jersey


Peter Lamb started his career in 1970 at the Nottingham Forensic Science Laboratory of the

UK as an assistant. He completed his basic qualifications (whilst working full-time) at the local University to become a Member of the Institute of Biology and a case Reporting Scientist. He has spent over 30 years going to scenes of major and critical incidents and investigating serious crime in the lab. He was Hon. Secretary of the Forensic Science Society for three years and meetings co-coordinator for three years. He has received Chief Constables commendations for his work on major incidents and was elected as Fellow of the Institute of Biology for work in Science and Education and also Fellow of the Forensic Science Society for his contribution to the investigation of serious crime. He was manager of teams investigating serious crime for 10 years before spending 4 years as National Scientific Lead for hair examinations then becoming one of six Major and Critical Incident Investigators in the UK. He has appeared on TV many times, but insists that he has the face for radio. He chairs the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) hairs committee, is a BPA trainer and has worked on many high profile cases in the UK and overseas, giving expert testimony in several countries, but most of all he is proud to say that he is the Vice-President of the IABPA for Europe.

VICE PRESIDENT – REGION V

Peter Lamb

Forensic Science Service

Huntingdon, Cambs, UK


Senior Constable Brett McCance graduated from the Western Australia Police Academy in 1996 and has over five years of general duties policing experience at metropolitan Police stations. Since 2001 Senior Constable McCance has been attached to the Western Australia Police Forensic Division as a Forensic Investigation Officer. His forensic duties have involved attendance at scenes of both volume and major crime.

Senior Constable McCance commenced his training as a bloodstain pattern analyst in 2004 undertaking an internal two year specialist development program. Senior Constable McCance has since delivered and coordinated internal training courses for the Western Australia Police Forensic Division and national training courses for policing and laboratory jurisdictions within Australia.

In 2006, Senior Constable McCance became a member of a national steering committee to standardize the education and training of bloodstain analysts within Australia and New Zealand and registered a discipline specific curriculum for bloodstain pattern analysis with the Curtin University of Technology. In 2010, Senior Constable McCance became a member of SWGSTAIN sitting on the Quality and Assurance sub-committee.

Senior Constable McCance is currently undertaking studies towards a Bachelor of Science in Crime Scene Investigation. Senior Constable McCance was the Forensic Division discipline manager for bloodstain pattern analysis for two years and is still active in scene attendance and case work for bloodshed events. Senior Constable McCance has been accepted by the Western Australia Supreme Court, District Court and Coroners Court as an expert in the scientific discipline.

VICE PRESIDENT - REGION VI

Brett McCance

Western Australian Police

Perth, Australia


Anthony Mangione is a Senior Crime Scene Investigator and responsible for crime scene

investigation and reconstruction, evidence collection and processing, courtroom testimony, training and evaluation of crime scene investigators and evidence technicians. He specializes in Death Investigation, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Fingerprint Examination, Shooting Reconstruction and Forensic Photography/Videography.

He has investigated and processed in excess of 15,000 cases involving crime scenes and forensic evidence related to homicide, suicide, robbery, sexual assault, arson, domestic violence, child abuse, accidental death involving motor vehicle accidents and industrial/commercial accidents.

Mr. Mangione is an instructor in Crime Scene Management, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Forensic Photography, Fingerprint Examination, Crime Scene Search, Crime Scene Documentation, Evidence Collection, DNA Evidence, Ballistics, Post Mortem Interval and Death Investigation. He is a member of the IAI, NJ Division of the IAI, NJ Police Honor Legion, Italian American Police Society and former Vice-President of the New Jersey State Identification Association.

Sergeant at Arms

Anthony Mangione

Hamilton Police Division

Crime Scene Unit

Hamilton, New Jersey


Stuart H. James of James and Associates Forensic Consultants, Inc. is a graduate of Hobart

College where he received a BA degree in Biology and Chemistry in 1962. He received his MT(ASCP) in Medical Technology from St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona in 1963. Graduate courses completed at Elmira College include Homicide Investigation, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Forensic Microscopy. He has completed more than 400 hours of continuing education and training in Death Investigation and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. A former Crime Laboratory supervisor in Binghamton, New York, he has been a private consultant since 1981.

Mr. James has instructed in Forensic Science at the State University of New York and Broome Community College in Binghamton, New York. Additionally, he has lectured on the subjects of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Forensic Science throughout the country and abroad including the Tampa, Florida Police Academy, the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept. in Pontiac, Michigan, the Nova Southeastern University Law School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , the University of Miami Law School in Coral Gables, Florida, the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, the Henry C. Lee Institute at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, Canada, the Politie LSOP Institute for Criminal Investigation and Crime Science in Zutphen, The Netherlands, the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the London Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom and the Western Australian Police in Perth, Australia. He has been consulted on homicide cases in 47 States and the District of Columbia as well as in

Australia, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the US Virgin Islands and has provided expert testimony in many of these jurisdictions in state, federal and military courts. Mr. James is a co-author of the text entitled, Interpretation of Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes and has contributed to other forensic texts including Introduction to Forensic Science, Practical Fire and Arson Investigation and the Practical Methodology of Forensic Photography. He is also a co-author of the revised Second Edition of Interpretation of Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes and the Editor of Scientific and Legal Applications of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation both of which were published in 1998. He is a co-editor with Jon J. Nordby of the text entitled Forensic Science – An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques first published in 2002 with the third edition published in 2009. He is also a co-author with Paul Kish and T. Paulette Sutton of the text entitled Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – Theory and Practice published in 2005. Mr. James is a fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a distinguished member of the IABPA as well as the current editor of the quarterly Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.

HISTORIAN

Stuart H. James

James And Associates Forensic Consultants, Inc.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida


IABPA Committee Appointments for 2011

Certification Research Committee

The Certification Research Committee will utilize existing polling data and all other

gathered data to report on how to implement and structure BPA certification testing.

Chair- Don Schuessler

Misty Holbrook Collin Byrne

DeWayne Morris Jon Thomas

Colin Hoare Lisa Perry

Web Master

Joe Slemko

Internet Committee

The Internet Committee will look at the feasibility and functionality of a new Web page as well as Internet functions.

Chair- Jeff Scozzafava

Elizabeth Toomer Kevin Maloney

Andy Maloney Joe Slemko

Education Committee

The Education Committee carries out issues as directed by the IABPA Bylaws.

Chair- Leah Innocci

Brett McCance Kim Duddy

John Amish Amy Jagmin

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee carries out ethics issues as directed by the IABPA Bylaws.

Chair- Rex Sparks

Pat Laturnus Gillian Leak

Matt Noedel


Publication Committee

The Publication Committee consists of the Editor and Associate Editors of the Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. The committee is responsible for the continuous recording of information concerning our organization and the discipline of BPA. The associate editors are responsible for the peer review of articles submitted to the Journal for possible publication. They also research current literature for abstracts of BPA articles as well as new ideas for the Journal.

Chair – Stuart James – Editor

Associate Editors

Carolyn Gannett Barton P. Epstein

Daniel Mabel Paul E. Kish

Jon J. Nordby Joe Slemko

Robert P. Spalding T. Paulette Sutton

Todd A. Thorne

By-Laws Committee

The Bylaws Committee will review the Bylaws and draft recommendations for changes.

Chair- Carolyn Gannett

Silke Brodbeck Andre Hendrix

Mark Reynolds

Dan Rahn Research Grant Committee

The Dan Rahn Research Grant Committee will receive applications from the Secretary/Treasurer, review them, and make recommendations to the Board.

Chair- Michael Taylor

Brian Yamashita Mark Reynolds

LeeAnn Singley T. Paulette Sutton


Membership Committee

The Membership Committee carries out membership issues as directed by the IABPA Bylaws.

Chair-Norman Reeves

John Amish Leah Innocci

Rex Sparks Jeff Scozzafava

Peter Lamb Brett McCance

SWGSTAIN –Document Review Committee

The SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee will be responsible for the review of SWGSTAIN documents. Its primary role will be to review those SWGSTAIN documents that are available for public comment. Feedback to the SWG will be provided in written format and presented by IABPA’s appointed liaison to SWGSTAIN.

Chair-Kevin Maloney

Rich Tewes DeWayne Morris

Brett McCance Anthony Mangione

Brian Allen Carol Ritter

Céline Nicloux Elida Kafarowski

Emily Williams Jeff Scozzafava

Joe Slemko Margaret Barber

Scott Collings Sue Ann Derkach

Vanora Kean Todd A. Thorne

Translation Committee

The Translation Committee will ensure that an accurate, true, and acceptable translation of the BPA glossary and definitions will be created and used for the necessary languages.

Chair-Andre Hendrix

Co-Chair- Peter Lamb

Phillipe Esperanca Sabine Hess

Silke Brodbeck Celine Nicloux

Andrea Berti


Legislation Committee

The Legislation Committee will monitor proposed legislation that could influence the way bloodstain pattern analysis is done. It will report to the Board regarding the existence and status of such legislation.

Chair- Carolyn Gannett

Misty Holbrook DeWayne Morris

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee will receive and evaluate written nominations for award recipients and make recommendations to the Board regarding recipients. It will also draft descriptions of and criteria for awards.

Chair- Todd A. Thorne

Emily Williams T. Paulette Sutton

Tony Mangione


Committee Reports for March 2011

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee is actively discussing fitting awards for members of our organization.

Additionally, research is being done to determine what other forensic organizations are offering. Descriptions will be outlined and submitted to the Board for discussion.

Todd A. Thorne Awards Committee Chair Membership Committee

The membership committee has received 61 applications and requests for promotion; some are rollovers from late submissions from last year. The new Regional Vice Presidents, who compose the membership committee, easily got into the routine of processing new applicants and requests for promotions.

Norman Reeves Membership Committee Chair

Education Committee

The Education Committee has welcomed two new members this year, including a new chair. Fortunately we have three retuning members to help us make a smooth transition. These last weeks have been spent finalizing the committee members and getting everyone fully apprised of the work of last year’s committee. We are working on a draft of requirements for advanced bloodstain pattern analysis courses. One of the sticking points is that the amount of information included might exceed 40 hours of instruction. We will continue to refine the draft, and we hope to have it done by the end of the summer.

Leah Innocci Education Committee Chair

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee has created a draft for a new code of ethics (see below). It is presented here for preliminary review to provide the membership with an opportunity to suggest changes. All written suggestions will be considered by the committee. Send them to [email protected]; deadline for submissions is April 1,

2011. Note that you will find

nothing about enforcement of ethics in this draft. Such content is reserved for the code of ethics enforcement policy, which will be the next task for this committee. That draft will be available for review by the membership in the June, 2011 issue of the journal. Ratifying these documents necessitates changes to the Bylaws. A draft of these changes, and others, will be available for membership review in the June, 2011 issue of the journal. Final drafts of all three documents: the Code of Ethics, the Enforcement Policy, and the Bylaws—will be mailed to the membership this summer to be voted on at the October 2011 Business Meeting. Carolyn Gannett Bylaws Committee Chair



Ethics Committee

The Ethics committee has submitted a final draft to President Todd A. Thorne regarding our new ethics policy and we are awaiting responses from the President and the IABPA attorney. I would like to thank the members of the ethics committee, Gillian Leak, Pat Laturnus and Matt Noedel for all their work and input and many others from the Bylaws committee, the IABPA Board and the membership for all their input, suggestions and assistance with this project. I simply cannot say enough about the tireless efforts of Carolyn Gannett in assembling this draft and I believe the entire membership owes her a big ―thank you‖ for all her time and work. Our new committee is getting up to speed with the IABPA business entrusted to us and a thanks to President Todd A. Thorne for his guidance and assistance with this process. Rex Sparks Ethics Committee Chair Dan Rahn Grant Committee

The Dan Rahn Grant Committee received one application for the grant. The Committee reviewed and evaluated the application and sent the recommendation for approval to the Board. The Board agreed with the Committee decision was awarded to Theresa Stotesbury from Ayr, Ontario, Canada.

Michael Taylor Dan Rahn Grant Committee Chair Publication Committee

The newly formed publication committee consists of the Editor and Associate Editors of our new Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – The Official Publication of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. We are responsible for the production of our quarterly publication, research for BPA related articles and the peer review of BPA research and case reports submitted to the Editor for publication.

Stuart H. James, Editor and Publication Committee Chair Certification Research Committee

The 2009-10 Certification Research Committee members were Don Schuessler (Chair), Misty Holbrook, Colin Byrne and Todd Thorne. It was reformed after the Portland, Oregon conference due to significant and lengthy discussion during the business meeting about certification. The catalyst for that discussion was the NAS report and pending legislation on the federal level to develop and implement certification standards in a variety of disciplines within forensic science. Basically the Certification Committee was directed by President Dalley to determine if the association membership supported a certification program for bloodstain pattern analysis. To accomplish that task, the Committee developed a brief survey which was made available to all IABPA regular members asking if they were in favor of a certification program and if IABPA should develop one on their own. Disappointingly, only twenty six IABPA members responded. The majority of responding members favored some sort of certification process. The Certification Committee did not make a recommendation about certification based upon the limited response by the membership. It did report that a majority of those members responding supported certification.


In an additional attempt to obtain a broader range of the IABPA membership’s option on the certification issue, the survey was handed out at the 2010 New Jersey conference. Seventy four surveys were completed. The majority of these respondents also supported certification. The 2010-11 Certification Committee membership was expanded to better complete the works tasks required of it. The Committee members are; Don Schuessler (Chair), Misty Holbrook, Collin Byrne, DeWayne Morris, Jon Thomas, Colin Hoare and Lisa Perry. President Thorne charged the Committee with one task, determine how to structure and implement a certification program. The recently expanded committee just received its work tasks and communication has been initiated between members about the work it has to complete. An initial progress report will be published in the June issue of the Journal. Don Schuessler Certification Research Committee Chair Legislation Committee

The Legislation Committee is currently monitoring the following: Sen. Leahy’s bill, which affects forensic science practitioners in general (only in the USA) Proposed legislation in Wisconsin, USA regarding rules of evidence The changes in the UK regarding establishment of a Forensic Science Regulation Unit to oversee the

practice of forensic science If you know of pending legislation that may affect the way bloodstain pattern analysis is done,

please notify the Legislation Committee. Carolyn Gannett Legislation Committee Chair

Internet Committee The committee has examined the current website for the IABPA and is currently preparing recommendations and options to present to the Executive Board. The goal is to provide the Executive Board with web site upgrade options (site design, members only section, online voting, dues payments, etc.). The ultimate goal is to facilitate and encourage communication between members and the executive board and between members themselves. The membership is invited to forward comments or ideas to committee member Elizabeth Toomer at [email protected].

Jeff Scozzafava Internet Committee Chair

SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee

The SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee is made up of BPA practitioners from various agencies and countries. The committee provided input on the Guidelines for Proficiency Testing in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis document in Q4 2010 which was presented at the Fall 2010 SWGSTAIN meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. The Committee is currently providing feedback on the Guidelines for the Validation of New Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis document. This will be presented at the Spring, 2011 SWGSTAIN meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. Kevin Maloney SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee Chair



Why Might the IABPA Need a New Code of Ethics?

Carolyn Gannett

This issue contains a draft for a new IABPA Code of Ethics. You might be asking yourself:

―Why? What’s wrong with the current one? Where did this new draft come from?‖ The short answers:

1. It’s not the best type of code for defining an area of expertise. 2. It is not as comprehensive as it could be. 3. The new draft originated from the content of almost two dozen forensic science codes of

ethics.

1. It’s not the best type of code for application to an area of expertise

The current code is a ―general‖ code, as opposed to a ―specific‖ code. This distinction was delineated in the book, ―Ethics in Forensic Science, Professional Standards for the Practice of Criminalistics‖ by Pete Barnett. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences has served as the model for this type of code since it was ratified in 1976 as the second written code of ethics in forensic science. A general code consists of a few broad, enforceable (black-and-white) statements. In short, it says, don’t embarrass us, don’t lie, and don’t speak on our behalf without prior approval. The entire code can be found at http://www.aafs.org/aafs-bylaws#Art2.

This type of code serves the Academy well, because that association consists of ten sections of widely differing areas of expertise: pathology, jurisprudence, odontology, psychiatry, engineering sciences, physical anthropology, criminalistics, and so on. Some of these are professions, such as the medical and legal professions, which already have a long history of detailed, routinely updated written ethics. The Academy wished only to supplement such codes, underlining only the broadest of principles, while leaving the details and meat of a code up to each area of expertise to define. As a result, the Academy’s code is quite simple.

On the other hand, bloodstain pattern analysis is one of the areas of expertise that a general code would supplement. This area of expertise needs its own details laid down in a formal document. This requires the other type of code: the specific code. Such codes are detailed and serve to educate the reader, in addition to providing enforceable content. However, the current code is not a specific-type code—it is a general-type. 2. It is not as comprehensive as it could be.

To understand why, it helps to understand the purposes of a code of ethics. By far, the broadest application is that of guidance—to educate practitioners in what their professional community considers ethical conduct. In forensic science, this includes responsibilities to colleagues, the profession, the justice system, and the public. To best serve this purpose, a code consists of not only enforceable black-and-white rules, but also ―motherhood statements‖—those that serve a heuristic purpose and may not be enforceable. The term ―motherhood statements‖ was coined by the authors of the Academy’s code. They specifically strove to avoid such statements because they are typically not enforceable, and the authors wanted only enforceable content in their code. However, for a code that helps define a profession (or area of expertise), such content is necessary in order to fulfill the code’s heuristic purpose. General codes, like the IABPA’s, typically shortchange the heuristic purpose, primarily containing only enforceable, black-and-white, rules.

Another purpose of a code of ethics is to serve as a hallmark of a profession. Professions are considered professions, rather than jobs, in part because their practitioners answer to each other regarding the quality of their work and their conduct. Standards outlining quality and conduct, which are agreed upon by the professional community, are put into writing to create a code of

http://www.aafs.org/aafs-bylaws#Art2


ethics and offer a base from which a profession can operate. The stronger (and more comprehensive) the base, the more solid the profession’s foundation.

Codes of ethics also offer protection to the practitioner. Suppose a boss, client, attorney, or investigator asks you to do something you think is unethical. You could say, ―I can’t do that because I think that’s unethical.‖ Really? That’s just your opinion. Maybe the requester has a different opinion. Who’s right? Now you’re set up to butt heads and, since you are the lowly analyst and the proverbial poop flows downhill, you will probably suffer the brunt of the head-butting. How much more productive would it be to be able to say, ―I’d like to be able to accommodate you, but unfortunately the ethics code that I answer to clearly states right here in Article X, Section Y, Paragraph Z, that doing so would be unethical. By the way, don’t you answer to the same code? So, this would apply to both of us, wouldn’t it?‖ Voila—you’re now both on the same page. Even if the requester doesn’t answer to the same code, being able to point to a document to which you must answer gives your refusal more validity and clout. Now, in the requester’s eyes, it’s not about you being a problem child and refusing to comply—it’s about you being ethical, and you have the documents to back it up. A code can only offer protection if it contains content relevant to your situation—another reason to ensure that it is comprehensive.

Policing the profession is another purpose of codes of ethics. Enforceable, clearly written, black-and-white rules make this function easier. The IABPA’s current code, being a specific code, has such content in Article III, Section 1. Basically, it says, don’t lie. In particular, don’t lie about your standing in the association, education, training, experience, data, or facts. But, there are other items that can be enforced.

Having read ethics documents from about two dozen forensic sciences associations and having sorted them by concepts and principles, I can say that most enforce more than just ―don’t lie.‖ I have found 25 principles and sub-principles in the code I’ve reviewed. The most comprehensive documents contain over 20 of them, and those documents tend to be specific-type codes. The least comprehensive, containing fewer than ten principles and sub-principles, are general-type codes. The IABPA’s current code (including Section 2, Guiding Principles) contains fourteen of these principles and sub-principles—not one of the least comprehensive codes, but still plenty of room for improvement.

3. The new draft originated from the content of almost two dozen forensic science codes of ethics.

The draft found elsewhere in this issue started from a survey of the content in almost two dozen forensic science codes of ethics*. All the concepts and principles found were put into one document. In 2009, the California Association of Criminalists (CAC) created an ad hoc committee to develop a national code of ethics. They started with the document and devoted several meetings and e-mail discussions to honing and fine-tuning the content. The members of that committee, chaired by Pete Barnett (author of the aforementioned book on forensic science ethics, a private practitioner for decades, and a member of IABPA), included John Murdock (who authored AFTE’s Code of Ethics, ASCLD’s Guidelines for Forensic Management Principles, and the CAC’s code of ethics enforcement policy), four public lab criminalists (including me; each with decades of experience in many areas of expertise and quality assurance), a forensic science professor (with decades in the field), and a public lab quality assurance manager. The CAC document continues to be a work in progress.

The IABPA draft started with the CAC’s document as it stood the beginning of January of this year. It was first compared to the original survey to re-insert any principles and concepts that might have inadvertently been dropped during the CAC committee’s massaging. It was then adjusted to apply directly to the IABPA, to read more smoothly, and to add content requested by other members. The Bylaws Committee, the IABPA lawyer, and the Board all had a chance to look at it prior to publishing in this issue. Granted, review time for each was miniscule in order to make the publication date for this issue. All of those entities will have a chance to provide a more substantial review, over the course of the next few months.

This is intended to be YOUR document. It will be the foundation for your area of expertise and guide your colleagues towards ethical practice. Let’s all strive to make this the best document


possible. If you have any questions or suggestions for changes to the code of ethics draft, please submit them to me (the Bylaws Committee chair) by April 1 at [email protected].

The surveyed codes include those from the following Associations: AAFS American Academy of Forensic Sciences

ABC American Board of Criminalistics

ABFDE American Board of Forensic Document Examiners

ACSR Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction

AFTE Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners

ANZFSS Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society

ASCLD C American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (Code of Ethics)

ASCLD G ASCLD (Guidelines for Forensic Laboratory Management Practices)

ASCLD/LAB American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation

Board

ASQDE American Society or Questioned Document Examiners

CAC California Association of Criminalists

CSFS Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences

ENFSI European Network of Forensic Science Institutes

FSS-UK Forensic Science Society (United Kingdom)

IABPA Int’l Assoc. of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

IAI Int’l Association for Identification

MAAFS Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists

MAFS Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists

NEAFS Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists

NWAFS Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists

RMABPA Rocky Mountain Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

SAFS Southern Association of Forensic Scientists

SWAFS Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists



IABPA CODE OF ETHICS Draft - February 25, 2011

Carolyn Gannett

PREAMBLE

Because a member’s conduct is a reflection on the association and the profession, members have a responsibility to their colleagues, their employer, the justice system, and the public to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. To this end, members should be aware of the content of this Code of Ethics. They should take all reasonable steps to work with the association to make this document as relevant, comprehensive, current, and clear as possible. Purpose The purposes of this document are to:

• Provide principles and rules for individual professional conduct in the practice of forensic science disciplines;

• Provide a template for evaluating an individual’s professional conduct; • Offer protection to individuals who are asked to perform unethical acts; • Ensure uniformity and quality of service to colleagues, the justice system, and the general

public.

Scope

This document applies to all classes of membership of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA). Although no code of ethics can precisely fit every occasion, the principles and rules of conduct set forth in this document are intended to describe the conduct expected of a member. Violation of these principles and rules may result in the Association imposing disciplinary sanctions including but not limited to suspension or termination of membership. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE 1. Objectivity

Bloodstain pattern analysis is rooted in the scientific method and based on the application of scientific principles and techniques. The principle of objectivity is paramount in science, and its unwavering application in casework is essential. Being objective entails recognizing that bias may sometimes be unavoidable. Members should strive to recognize all biases which are present that could affect results and take all reasonable measures to ensure that these biases do not affect the results. Those measures may involve using certain protocols, designing experiments in a manner to counter or avoid the bias, or declining the assignment. Conflicts of interest with an employer, client, or the justice system shall be documented and disclosed, and the assignment shall only be accepted if ordered to complete the task. A member shall not provide services on a contingency-fee basis; however, a reasonable fee may be charged for services. Objectivity requires that all available relevant facts be considered before making conclusions or opinions, and that conclusions and opinions be based only on these facts and valid arguments. Members should use all of the means at their command to identify and evaluate all facts relevant to the matter under investigation. If new developments in the investigation or in the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis come to light, members should receive them


with an open mind and be prepared to reconsider and, if necessary, change their conclusions or opinions. Experts in a forensic science discipline serve a different function within the justice system from that of attorneys. This difference necessitates dissimilar processes and goals. Members should recognize these dissimilarities and should not confuse their own processes and goals with those of attorneys. The expert’s process should be unbiased and systematic, not adversarial. The experts’ goals are to objectively discern and accurately present facts, while the attorneys’ goals are to advocate for the client. In recognition of these dissimilarities, members should not assist legal contestants through tactics that might implant a false impression. Members should consent to interviews with counsel for both sides prior to trial, if requested and allowed. Members should not confuse fact with theory, nor give greater weight to a conclusion or opinion than is due.

1.1. Examinations and Analyses

1.1.1. A member shall be objective.

1.1.2. A member shall take all reasonable steps to obtain and evaluate all sources of data

that might be relevant to the matter under investigation.

1.1.3. A member shall base conclusions or opinions on data derived from examinations

or analyses of all available relevant evidence.

1.1.4. A member shall base conclusions or opinions on valid arguments.

1.1.5. When sampling evidence, a member shall do so in a representative manner.

1.1.6. Whenever possible, a member shall leave sufficient sample for additional testing;

evidence shall not be consumed unnecessarily.

1.1.7. A member shall not do superfluous tests in an attempt to give a conclusion or

opinion more weight.

1.1.8. A member shall not make unfounded conclusions on grounds of race, color,

religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, beliefs, gender, language, sexual

orientation, social status, age lifestyle, or political persuasion.

1.2. Conflicts of Interest

1.2.1. A member shall not provide services on a contingency-fee basis.

1.2.2. A member shall document and disclose to the employer or client any known

potential conflict of interest, real or perceived, regarding a case assignment.

1.2.2.1.A member shall not accept such an assignment without explicit written

consent from the employer or client.

1.2.3. A member shall disclose to the Executive Board any intended direct financial gain

from participation in any association activities.

2. Communication

In all aspects of professional activity, a member should be truthful and forthright within

legal constraints. When an expert is hired as a forensic science expert by a client, a confidential relationship is presumed to exist between them. When an expert is retained by an attorney representing a litigant, a confidential relationship is presumed to exist between the expert and the attorney.


Scientific and legal principles require that those who use or evaluate the conclusions or opinions of experts in forensic science disciplines must be able to verify them by the review of data, the replication of experiments, the testing of alternative hypotheses, and by challenging the process used in arriving at conclusions and opinions. For this reason, a member shall provide clear and complete documentation of all factors used to form a conclusion or opinion. When documenting and reporting, a member shall communicate in an appropriately precise, accurate, and clear manner. A member shall not intentionally obscure information by inclusion, omission, or any other means, and shall make documents and information readily available to those who have a legal right to them.

A member shall make only technically correct statements. When two experts arrive at different conclusions or opinions, it may be possible that a technically incorrect statement has been made. Members who are aware that another expert has arrived at a different conclusion or opinion from their own should, if possible, give due consideration to potential sources of that difference. When possible, members should attempt resolution of the difference. This may be done by exchanging information, samples, or data; jointly conducting experiments; referral to a third party; or other means. Members should realize that there can be legitimate differences of opinion. Members should strive to make accurate statements in testimony, reports, examination records, and technical publications. When testifying, members should not use unduly sensational means of conveying information.

2.1. Testimony, Reports, Examination Records, and Technical Publications

2.1.1. A member shall make only technically correct statements.

2.1.2. A member shall refuse to offer conclusions, opinions, or observations in matters

outside his or her areas of expertise.

2.1.3. A member shall accurately represent his or her qualifications, including, but not

limited to: education, training, experience, areas of expertise, certification status,

and professional association membership statuses.

2.1.4. A member shall communicate in an appropriately precise, accurate, and clear

manner.

2.1.4.1.A member shall not use intentionally misleading language.

2.1.4.1.1. If permitted, a member shall explain or qualify yes-or-no answers if

not doing so would be misleading.

2.1.4.2.A member shall not alter reports or other records, or withhold information

from reports for strategic or tactical litigation advantage..

2.1.4.3.A member shall report all results, conclusions, and opinions, and shall not

withhold information that would be unfavorable to the side by whom he or she

has been retained.

2.1.4.4.If a member does not know the answer to a question being asked, the member

shall make this known.

2.1.5. A member shall fully explain relevant data, methods, logic, and conclusions and

opinions, including any qualifications and limitations.

2.1.5.1.A member shall clearly differentiate data from conclusions or opinions based

on that data.

2.1.6. A member shall take all reasonable steps to identify and document in examination

records all sources of data that might be relevant to the matter under investigation.


2.1.6.1.A member shall document in examination records any of these sources of data

that could not be obtained.

2.1.7. At the time they are performed, a member shall document in examination records

all relevant data (including, but not limited to all examinations, analyses,

methods, observations, alterations, and results), conclusions or opinions along

with the logic and assumptions used to reach them, and any qualifications and

limitations that apply to each.

2.1.8. A member shall preserve examination records and reports while in his or her

custody.

2.2. Disclosure

2.2.1. A member shall make documents and information readily available to those who

have a legal right to them.

2.2.2. A member shall, in a timely manner, document and disclose to the employer or

client, or appropriate legal authority any known errors or omissions and any

changes in advice, conclusions, or opinions.

2.2.3. A member shall, in a timely manner, document and disclose to the employer,

client, or appropriate legal authority any attempt by a second party to alter results

or improperly influence conclusions or opinions.

2.2.4. A member shall preserve confidentiality unless there is an overriding duty to the

court and the justice system for disclosure (if legally allowed), including a

situation where a miscarriage of justice might occur.

2.3. A member shall be truthful when communicating with the IABPA Board or its

representatives.

2.4. A member shall not repeat statements or beliefs expressed at IABPA conferences or

meetings without putting them into the context in which they were made.

3. Methods and Procedures

Sound scientific procedure requires that practitioners neither form conclusions nor render

opinions which are beyond their areas of competence. In accordance with this, a member should not only be aware of the limits of his or her areas of expertise, but also shall be aware of his or her personal limitations in training and experience and refuse to practice outside them. On the other hand, members shall not take advantage of the privilege to express conclusions or opinions in their areas of expertise by offering them on matters to which they have not given formal consideration.

Whenever possible, members should use validated reliable methods that are generally accepted by the forensic science community. New or novel concepts or methods may be used when required; however, a member shall critically evaluate them prior to drawing conclusions from them.

Whenever possible, members should regularly complete proficiency tests and have another expert technically review their work. Members should strive to produce their report in a timely manner. 3.1. A member shall be aware of his or her personal limitations in training and experience.


3.2. A member shall not offer conclusions or opinions on matters to which he or she has not

given formal consideration.

3.3. A member shall use methods that have appropriate accuracy and precision.

3.4. A member shall use appropriate and reliable reagents, standards, and controls.

3.5. A member shall use appropriate equipment in adequate facilities.

3.6. A member shall critically evaluate new or novel concepts and methods prior to drawing

conclusions from them.

3.7. A member shall document the identity and integrity of evidence prior to examination or

analysis.

3.8. A member shall maintain evidence integrity.

4. Responsibility

A member shall not tolerate nor conceal a violation of the Code of Ethics. Apparent

infractions may be resolved interpersonally or otherwise within an agency or company. However, a member shall report egregious or repeated violations of the Code of Ethics to the association if other appropriate corrective measures (if pursued) have failed. Such a report should be filed in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in the IABPA’s Enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

The fair and respectful treatment of others is an essential component of responsible professional conduct. Members should strive to be fair when interacting with others. When a member gives advice regarding the questioning of another witness, the purpose shall be to prevent incompetent and misleading testimony, and to make known any facts that are legally relevant. The purpose should not be to exercise a vendetta or thwart justice. Fairness also includes the accurate assignment of credit for work. A member shall not engage in plagiarism, but shall properly credit work done by others. In addition, a member shall discourage the association of his or her name with developments, publications, or organizations to which no significant contributions were made.

Members should take responsibility for determining the most appropriate protocols for doing their own examinations or analyses. This determination should not be left to those requesting the work, such as clients, attorneys, or investigators.

When working a case, the individuals performing examinations or analyses may be the people who are best suited to recognize probative evidence and recommend appropriate examinations and analyses. A member working a case shall take all reasonable steps to encourage that appropriate examinations and analyses are requested for the probative evidentiary items in that case.

Members should take responsibility for staying current within their area of expertise. They should be aware of recent scientific advances and new standards, guidelines, policies, and regulations. This may be accomplished by, but is not limited to, reading peer-reviewed technical publications and other relevant literature, attending professional conferences, taking classes, and exchanging information with other experts. To assist colleagues with staying current, members should present any new developments to the profession, and should encourage and support research and training whenever possible.

Members should take all reasonable measures to inform the court of the nature and implications of pertinent evidence if reasonably assured that this information would not otherwise be disclosed to the court. They may appeal to the presiding judicial officer (in the absence of the jury if the trial be by judge and jury) if they believe that the manner in which


evidence is being elicited is such to prevent the disclosure of a significant relevant matter or circumstance.

4.1. Responsibilities Regarding Ethical Conduct

4.1.1. A member shall not commit, tolerate, nor conceal a violation of this Code of

Ethics.

4.1.2. A member shall report serious or repeated violations of the Code of Ethics to the

association if other appropriate corrective measures (if pursued) have failed.

4.1.3. A member shall report to the employer or client any conflict between the Code of

Ethics and the member’s responsibilities as defined by the employer or client, and

shall take all reasonable measures to resolve it.

4.1.4. A member shall report to the employer or client any conflict between professional

responsibilities and agency policy, law, regulation, or other legal authority, and

shall take all reasonable measures to resolve it.

4.2. Responsibilities to the Profession

4.2.1. A member shall not engage in conduct detrimental to the profession, including

illegal conduct that adversely reflects upon the professional competence of the

member or upon the Association as a whole.

4.2.2. A member shall not engage in plagiarism, but shall properly credit work done by

others.

4.2.3. A member shall discourage the association of his or her name with developments,

publications, or organizations to which no significant contributions were made.

4.2.4. A member shall be responsible for his or her own work and for work done under

his or her direction.

4.2.5. When a member gives advice regarding the questioning of another witness, the

purpose shall be to prevent incompetent and misleading testimony and to make

known any facts that are legally relevant; the purpose shall not be to thwart

justice.

4.2.6. A member working a case shall take all reasonable steps to encourage that

appropriate examinations and analyses are requested for the probative evidentiary

items in that case.

4.2.7. A member acting in an official capacity for the association (including, but not

limited to, Executive Board members, committee chairs, and committee members)

shall use all reasonable efforts to fulfill the duties and obligations of their

assignment in a timely manner.

4.2.8. A member shall not use membership in an association nor employment status to

obtain unjustified benefits, privileges, or exemptions.

4.2.9. A member shall take appropriate action if he or she feels there are good grounds

for believing there is a situation which could result in a miscarriage of justice.


4.3. Responsibilities of Members who are Managers or Supervisors

4.3.1. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall facilitate, support, and promote an

environment conducive to ethical conduct.

4.3.2. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall ensure that laboratory services are

provided in a manner that maximizes organizational efficiency and ensures an

economical expenditure of resources and personnel while maintaining necessary

quality standards.

4.3.3. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall ensure that employees have sufficient

academic qualifications, experience, knowledge, and training to perform work

within their areas of expertise and operate in accordance with the Code of Ethics.

4.3.4. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall establish and maintain an appropriate

quality assurance system.

4.3.5. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall promote and support participation in

professional associations, certification programs, and technical working groups.

4.3.6. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall not allow employees to be pressured

to perform substandard work, take technical shortcuts, or arrive at conclusions or

opinions not supported by scientific data.


TECHNICAL REPORT

Visualizing Bloodstain Patterns on Dark or Multi-colored, Multi-designed

Clothing using Luminol and Adobe Photoshop® Layers

Tom Hill Introduction

Bloodstains on clothing or its absence is important evidence in any forensic investigation. The

patterns can provide valuable information to a bloodstain pattern analyst. Once blood is located it needs to be documented utilizing notes and photography. Documentation can be difficult when bloodstains have been deposited on dark or multicolored fabric. Additional problems exist with fabrics that have been stained by liquids other than blood. The use of Photoshop® to create composites is an excellent way to assist with note taking and documentation of bloodstains on clothing or any other object. Exhibits can also be created to assist with trial testimony.

This documentation process can be achieved by the use of luminol photography and then creating a composite photograph in Photoshop®. The steps outlined are aimed at an analyst with previous Photoshop® skills. Photoshop® CS4 was the version used for the examples presented in this paper. Materials Dark trousers Multicolored shirt Equine (horse) blood Luminol preparation:

1. 3.5g Sodium Perborate 2. 25.0g Sodium Carbonate 3. 0.5g 3-Amino-Phthalhydrazide, 98% (Luminol) 4. 500ml distilled water

Add 1 to 4 and shake for at least one minute. Add 2 and 3 to 4. Mix until dissolved. Allow un-dissolved sediment to settle to bottom of container. Pour off liquid into a dark container. Known scale: two copper pennies glued six inches apart onto a hard surface. They will be seen very clearly as copper will luminesce when luminol is applied. Camera utilized: Nikon D300 Nikon 24-120 VR lens Tripod Camera Settings for Luminol Image: F-5.6 15 seconds ISO 800 White Balance auto 10 second shutter delay Quality: JPG Fine, RAW or TIFF. (I use JPG Fine)


Creating the Bloodstain Patterns Example ―A‖ was created with cast off and swiping of a bloody hand. Example ―B‖ was created by pooling blood into a cupped hand and slapping multiple times with the other hand. The hands were then dragged down the sleeves and the neck line grabbed. Methodology Photographic steps

1. Place the penny scale next to the target surface. 2. With camera mounted on the tripod, aim so that lens is 90 degrees to the target

surface. Adjust the zoom so that target fills frame. Once set in this position it must not be moved. Both images will be taken using the tripod mounted settings.

3. Image #1 is taken using settings that produce a correctly exposed image. You must decide on the settings and lighting (Figures 1 and 4).

4. Do not move the camera for the next photograph. 5. Image #2 is taken using the settings described above for CAMERA SETTINGS FOR

LUMINOL IMAGE. This will be done in a blackened environment. Your shutter should be on a delay setting. On the target surface begin spraying a fine mist of luminol one second before the shutter opens. Do not overspray the Luminol solution since drips may be produced. The camera will record much more information than we can see (Figures 2 and 5).

Transferring Images to the Computer

Image #1 should be a correctly exposed image. Image #2 will appear black with blue areas of luminescence. Transfer both images to a new folder on your computer. Rename them Image #1 and Image #2. Copy and paste the images into the same folder. You should now have a second set of images with the word copy written within the file name. Digital imaging protocol requires that image processing will only be done on a copy of the original. The copied images will be the ones worked on from this point. Creating the Composite

1. Open Photoshop®. 2. Open Image #1. 3. Make adjustments to the exposure. For this example the appearance of the trousers was

adjusted to a lighter color and the different paint stains were adjusted to a black color. This was achieved by going into CALCULATIONS using the following settings. Source 1 red invert. Source 2 red. Blending Light Color. Opacity 100.

4. Open IMAGE SIZE. Record the width, height and resolution. 5. Create a NEW canvas. Use the dimensions from the recorded values in step 4. Name the

new canvas ―Composite of image #1 and #2‖. 6. Copy and paste Image #1 onto the new canvas you just created. Close out Image #1. Save

changes if desired. 7. Open Image #2. Adjust color using LEVELS (or mode of your choice). You want to have

a black background with the luminescence having a bluish white color. Be careful not to over-adjust as that will create noise. Copy and paste onto the new document. Image #2 should be layered above image #1. Close image #2. Save changes if desired.

8. Make image #2 the active layer. Adjust opacity to 50%. Use the MOVE tool to fine tune the position of layer #2 over layer #1 by making sure the pennies overlap properly.

9. Readjust the opacity of layer #2 to achieve the desired visual result.


10. Each layer can be individually adjusted if need be to create the best visual combination of the two images.

11. Save the completed composite back into your folder as a TIFF or PSD file. Saving in either of these file formats preserves the layers in the event you want to make adjustments in the future. Once saved in either of these file formats you can save again as a high quality JPG for printing or easy viewing (Figures 3 and 6).

Conclusions

Using Photoshop® can be daunting to many novice users. It contains hundreds of tools and combinations of tools within the program. Becoming comfortable using layers and the adjustment tools is simply a matter of using the program and experimenting on different images. Someone with a minimal amount of experience with the program should be able to follow the steps outlined above to achieve the desired results. The use of Photoshop® to visualize bloodstains specifically on dark clothing that have been processed with luminol enable the Bloodstain Pattern Analyst to create very detailed court exhibits, and notes for case work.

Example A: Back Side of Trousers Stained with Paint and Blood

Figure 1. Image 1 of trousers with proper lighting Figure 2. Image 2 of trousers with luminol

prior to the application of luminol. applied.


Figure 3. The composite of images 1 and 2 of the trousers.

Example B: Front Side of a Multi Color, Multi Design Blouse

Figure 4. Image 1 of blouse with proper lighting Figure 5. Image 2 of blouse with luminol

prior to the application of luminol. applied.


Figure 6. The composite of images 1 and 2 of the blouse.

References

James, S. H., Eckert, W. G., Interpretation of Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes, Second Edition, CRC Press 1998, and Chapter 6 pp. 139-149 Chapter 7 pp. 153-161. Reis, G., Photoshop CS3 for Forensic Professionals, 2007, Wiley Publishing Inc, Chapter 14 pp. 141-143. King, L. S., Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual, O’Reilly Media 2008 First edition, pp. 69-122, 268-276, 363-390. Lefebvre, G. Sgt, A Method for Photographing Luminol Reactions at Crime Scenes, IABPA News, Vol. 21. No., 2 June 2005, p. 4. Tom Hill Forensic Analyst Broward County Sheriff’s Office 201 SE 6th Street North Wing, Room 1799 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Office 954-831-5546 Cell 954-647-1406


Dan Rahn Memorial Grant Award Recipient for 2011

The Dan Rahn Memorial Grant Award for 2011 has been awarded to Theresa Stotesbury from Ayr, Ontario, Canada. She is currently a research assistant at the Inorganic Materials Laboratory at Trent University in Petersborough, Ontario, Canada where she is completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science (BScF.S.) with a minor in Chemistry. She is an applicant for Associate Member in the IABPA. Her supervisor for her research project is S/Sgt Mike Illes with the Ontario Provincial Police. The title of her research project is:

The Application of Acid Yellow 7 for the Visualization of Impact Bloodstain Patterns Camouflaged on Dark Surfaces and Analysis Using the BackTrack™ Suite of Programs. Problem and Hypotheses:

Sometimes blood-letting events can be camouflaged when spatter contacts dark and opaque surfaces. Conventional photography cannot always capture a desired image of these bloodstains; especially those belonging to impact patterns where the average sizes of the droplets is relatively small. The use of the strong fluorophore, acid yellow 7 (AY7) should provide analysts with a means to visually enhance impact patterns. The purpose of this study will be to investigate both the chemical and physical effects of the enhancement process. Distortion in any manner, of chemically enhanced bloodstains holds significant consequences in an investigator’s analysis.

Loss of detail, especially the integrity of the edge of the stain could affect the accuracy of other BPA techniques including a point of origin determination. The diffusion of dried blood when sprayed with an aqueous solution may present a significant problem to the bloodstain community. One area of focus of this project will be to investigate the physical effects involved when dried blood is exposed to airbourne aqueous droplets applied by traditional methods (i.e. spray bottle application). Is the force of the spray a major contributor to stain deformation? Does the inclusion of a barrier, for example, filter paper between the stain and the spray help maintain the integrity of the stain? Another area of inquiry will be to access the damage that blood diffusion causes to subsequent BPA. Since most chemical enhancement dyes are extremely sensitive, it would be interesting to see the amount of background noise the diffusion creates when observing the stains under alternate lighting.

Questions driving this research will include: 1. Is the integrity of the stain maintained throughout the entire enhancement process? 2. Does the fluorescence of AY7 enhanced bloodstains distort the width/length ratio of the

ellipse? 3. What is the optimal enhancement procedure that provides analysts with the most accurate

point of origin determination when processing camouflaged bloodstain?


Evaluation of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope for Use in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Daniel E. Mabel

1 and Stuart H. James

2

Introduction Measurement of bloodstains is a task performed in a variety of forensic contexts, including the calculation of the angle of impact at which a blood drop strikes a target. Manual measurement of bloodstains for this purpose using rulers, loupes, and calipers has long been the standard approach within bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA). However, computer software is rapidly being created to automate this process and to attempt to reduce measurement error due to subjectivity. As is many times the case when a tried and true method is upgraded for the digital age, it becomes altogether too cumbersome, complicated, and expensive to be justifiable for daily operations. The current study will attempt to provide a satisfactory compromise between traditional manual methods and cutting-edge automated stain measurement. The Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope (CHDM), designed and manufactured by Celestron, LLC of Torrance, California, is a compact and portable device powered solely by USB connection. It allows for the documentation of bloodstains at 10x-40x and 150x magnifications (Figure 1). In addition, 1.3 megapixel digital images of stains can be acquired with the push of a button, and the included Digital Microscope Suite 2.0 software allows for measurement of stains on a one hundredth of a millimeter scale. The appeal of such convenience and functionality is amplified when considering the microscope’s price point. As of this writing, the manufacturer’s website lists the digital microscope at $69.95 USD (Celestron, 2011).

Figure 1: Overall image of basic setup with laptop and Celestron.

______________________________________________________________________________________

1. Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Cleveland, Ohio 2. James and Associates Forensic Consultants, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida


The features of the CHDM are numerous as demonstrated by Herbert Leon MacDonell, but if it is to be useful in bloodstain pattern analysis as more than a digital magnifier, the microscope’s measurement capabilities must be validated. Such validation is intended to provide analysts with confidence that stain measurement using the CHDM is precise, as well as consistent with previously used manual techniques. The current study will endeavor to validate the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope for the measurement of bloodstains, and will also attempt to provide a comprehensive list of the device’s benefits and potential limitations for application in BPA. Materials and Methods In order to gauge the precision of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope for measuring bloodstains, spatter patterns were created using defibrinated sheep blood acquired from Hemostat Laboratories. Blood was applied to the bristles of a toothbrush and the bristles were used to project the blood at a paper target. Using this method, two general pattern types were created. A "circular" stain pattern was created by projecting blood at a ninety degree angle to the target surface. An "elongated" stain pattern was created by projecting blood at an acute angle to the target surface. After drying, stains were sprayed with a fixative to prevent flaking. Twenty-five stains from each pattern type were identified as suitable for measurement by their shape and border regularity. The fifty total stains were labeled, and the two authors independently made three sets of measurements of the stains. The first set was acquired manually using a loupe and two other sets were acquired digitally using the CHDM at 40x (Low) and 150x (High) magnifications, respectively (Figure 2). Diameters were measured for the twenty-five circular stains, and both widths and lengths were measured for the twenty-five elongated stains (Figures 3-5). All measurements were made in millimeters.

Figure 2: Instrumentation used in the current study, including Celestron

Handheld Digital Microscope (with stand) and two loupes.


Figure 3: Celestron measurement of a circular stain on Low and High magnification.

Figure 4: Celestron measurement of the width of an elongated stain on Low and High magnification.

Figure 5: Celestron measurement of the length of an elongated stain on Low and High magnification.


Results and Discussion

The data were categorized by stain type (circular, elongated width, and elongated length), and

further by measurement type (manual and digital). Table 1 provides the average range of measurements for each of these categories. Comparison of the range of measurements between the manual method and the use of the CHDM for each stain type demonstrates that there is a degree of error inherent to both methods. However, for all three stain types, the average ranges of measurement between the two methods are within 0.01 millimeter of one another. Thus, the data illustrate that the two methods are both precise. Also, the average range of measurement for all stain types is at or below 0.10 millimeters. It is important to note that the higher average ranges for the elongated stain length measurements reflect a known source of error inherent to ellipse estimation (James, Kish, & Sutton, 2005). Table 1: Average range of measurements for each stain type, allowing comparison of

manual measurement to digital measurement.

Stain Type Average Range (mm)

Circular (Manual) 0.04

Circular (Digital) 0.04

Elongated Width (Manual) 0.04

Elongated Width (Digital) 0.05

Elongated Length (Manual) 0.09

Elongated Length (Digital) 0.10

The nature of bloodstain measurement prohibits the ability to gauge the accuracy of either method, as there is no 'known' or 'true' value for a particular stain to which to compare a human measurement. Future evaluation of the accuracy of the CHDM using standard reference materials is recommended. The full data set used in the current study is shown in Appendix 1.

Below are listed a number of the benefits and potential limitations of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope noted by the authors for its use in bloodstain pattern analysis:

Benefits

Precise method of stain measurement Microscope is simple to install and operate Digital Microscope Suite 2.0 Software is simple to use Inexpensive ($69.95 USD) Compact Rugged Highly portable Powered solely via USB cable Adequate image resolution for stain characterization 10x-40x and 150x magnifications Ability to acquire digital images of stains LED lights within microscope illuminate samples Reduced user strain Ability to focus on a surface from a stand-off distance up to approximately

12" (could allow for orientation of a specific stain in a larger pattern) Can be used on vertical surfaces

Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 39 Vol. 27, No.1 March 2011

Ability to document stain measurement (using 'Print Screen'), significantly reducing or eliminating subjectivity (especially when measuring the lengths of elongated stains)

Highly useful for courtroom setting or for training in the measurement of bloodstains

Limitations

Small field of view limits size of stains that can be photographed (in their entirety) or measured

No function exists within Digital Microscope Suite 2.0 software to capture an image of the measurement process (must use 'Print Screen')

Included microscope stand is flimsy Potential contamination issues arise from necessity of pressing microscope

flush against sampling surface Microscope's ability to measure stains precisely is eliminated when

microscope is not flush against the sample surface Microscope must be attached to a computer in order to be used No option to turn LED lighting off Must use a ring stand or other support device if using microscope from a

stand-off distance There is the lack of an ellipse fitting tool for helping to determine the

length of elongated stains Conclusions

The Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope has the potential to become a valuable new tool for the bloodstain pattern analyst. It is not meant as a replacement for manual methods of measurement such as loupes, rulers, or calipers because of its limited field of view. However, for small stains that are difficult to measure, the CHDM provides a simple, precise, and inexpensive solution. In addition, the ability to document measurements by capturing them in a digital image serves to reduce subjectivity and could be invaluable in a courtroom or classroom setting.

Improvements to the interface of the software would greatly benefit the CHDM including the addition of a tool to capture images of the screen with the measurement window present, as well as an added ability to make multiple measurements at one time. Beyond the limitation of the software, the instrument itself is prone to contamination issues arising from the need to press it flush against the surface containing the stains to ensure precise measurements. Care should be taken to thoroughly decontaminate those surfaces of the microscope that could come into contact with biological fluids. This study is meant to serve as a fundamental validation of the CHDM for measuring bloodstains. The data illustrate that the CHDM is similar in precision to manual methods. Before the CHDM can be used for forensic casework, internal validation is highly recommended. References Celestron (2011) Handheld Digital Microscope, Retrieved December 30, 2010 from Celestron. http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=81&ProdID=557 James, S.H., Kish, P.E. & Sutton, T.P. (2005) Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Theory and Practice, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida MacDonell, H.L. An Amazing Microscope, IABPA NEWS, Vol. 26, No. 1, March 2010

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=81&ProdID=557


Appendix 1: Stain measurement data used in the current study.

Circular (Manual) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

DM UltraLoupe (mm) 0.39 1.42 1.60 0.60 0.78 0.86 0.90 0.40 0.38 0.38 0.44 0.36 0.44 1.18 0.40 1.80 1.20 2.06 0.90 1.38 0.60 0.32 0.60 1.38 0.78

SJ Loupe (mm) 0.42 1.50 1.60 0.60 0.75 0.90 0.90 0.50 0.35 0.40 0.50 0.30 0.50 1.10 0.40 1.85 1.20 2.10 0.90 1.50 0.60 0.35 0.70 1.45 0.80

Range (mm) 0.03 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.04 0.00 0.10 0.03 0.02 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.12 0.00 0.03 0.10 0.07 0.02

Mean (mm) 0.41 1.46 1.60 0.60 0.77 0.88 0.90 0.45 0.37 0.39 0.47 0.33 0.47 1.14 0.40 1.83 1.20 2.08 0.90 1.44 0.60 0.34 0.65 1.42 0.79

Circular (Digital) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

DM Low (mm) 0.40 1.43 1.59 0.62 0.75 0.88 0.94 0.48 0.35 0.36 0.48 0.33 0.48 1.19 0.42 1.82 1.24 2.00 0.88 1.43 0.64 0.34 0.65 1.40 0.80

DM High (mm) 0.40 1.49 1.62 0.61 0.78 0.90 0.93 0.47 0.36 0.37 0.47 0.32 0.48 1.14 0.41 1.82 1.23 2.04 0.98 1.42 0.62 0.36 0.66 1.45 0.80

SJ Low (mm) 0.43 1.43 1.58 0.67 0.74 0.92 0.94 0.52 0.35 0.41 0.48 0.33 0.49 1.13 0.41 1.82 1.21 2.13 0.93 1.46 0.61 0.33 0.69 1.44 0.81

SJ High (mm) 0.43 1.48 1.63 0.63 0.76 0.93 0.92 0.50 0.37 0.39 0.46 0.33 0.48 1.15 0.41 1.86 1.23 2.11 0.90 1.45 0.63 0.35 0.67 1.45 0.80

Range (mm) 0.03 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.06 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.13 0.10 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.01

Mean (mm) 0.42 1.46 1.61 0.63 0.76 0.91 0.93 0.49 0.36 0.38 0.47 0.33 0.48 1.15 0.41 1.83 1.23 2.07 0.92 1.44 0.63 0.35 0.67 1.44 0.80

Elongated Width (Manual) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

DM UltraLoupe (mm) 0.80 1.00 0.70 0.68 0.56 0.94 0.40 0.90 0.82 0.40 0.38 0.70 0.78 1.02 0.50 0.70 0.86 0.82 0.80 1.18 0.60 0.76 0.64 0.82 0.62

SJ Loupe (mm) 0.81 1.10 0.72 0.78 0.60 1.00 0.40 0.95 0.85 0.40 0.40 0.70 0.85 1.00 0.60 0.70 0.90 0.85 0.90 1.15 0.60 0.75 0.70 0.90 0.62

Range (mm) 0.01 0.10 0.02 0.10 0.04 0.06 0.00 0.05 0.03 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07 0.02 0.10 0.00 0.04 0.03 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.01 0.06 0.08 0.00

Mean (mm) 0.81 1.05 0.71 0.73 0.58 0.97 0.40 0.93 0.84 0.40 0.39 0.70 0.82 1.01 0.55 0.70 0.88 0.84 0.85 1.17 0.60 0.76 0.67 0.86 0.62

Elonagted Width (Digital) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

DM Low (mm) 0.82 1.05 0.72 0.69 0.55 0.97 0.43 0.92 0.81 0.45 0.42 0.70 0.76 1.02 0.56 0.71 0.89 0.84 0.84 1.15 0.62 0.73 0.67 0.88 0.65

DM High (mm) 0.83 1.08 0.73 0.72 0.57 1.01 0.44 0.95 0.83 0.46 0.42 0.72 0.81 1.01 0.56 0.70 0.89 0.86 0.84 1.17 0.62 0.76 0.65 0.88 0.66

SJ Low (mm) 0.81 1.11 0.75 0.76 0.58 1.05 0.45 1.00 0.86 0.49 0.44 0.76 0.85 1.01 0.58 0.71 0.92 0.89 0.88 1.18 0.63 0.75 0.65 0.91 0.66

SJ High (mm) 0.83 1.11 0.73 0.75 0.60 1.03 0.46 0.98 0.87 0.48 0.45 0.74 0.84 1.01 0.59 0.71 0.93 0.91 0.86 1.20 0.65 0.77 0.68 0.93 0.68

Range (mm) 0.02 0.06 0.03 0.07 0.05 0.08 0.03 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.03

Mean (mm) 0.82 1.09 0.73 0.73 0.58 1.02 0.45 0.96 0.84 0.47 0.43 0.73 0.82 1.01 0.57 0.71 0.91 0.88 0.86 1.18 0.63 0.75 0.66 0.90 0.66

Elongated Length (Manual) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

DM UltraLoupe (mm) 1.30 1.80 1.20 1.30 1.00 1.80 0.70 1.80 1.60 0.80 0.90 1.10 1.60 1.80 1.20 1.24 1.80 2.10 1.30 2.20 1.70 1.50 1.70 1.80 1.10

SJ Loupe (mm) 1.40 1.82 1.20 1.40 0.80 1.75 0.70 1.60 1.50 0.75 0.75 1.20 1.50 1.70 1.10 1.20 1.55 2.00 1.40 2.20 1.60 1.50 1.55 1.80 1.15

Range (mm) 0.10 0.02 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.05 0.00 0.20 0.10 0.05 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.04 0.25 0.10 0.10 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.05

Mean (mm) 1.35 1.81 1.20 1.35 0.90 1.78 0.70 1.70 1.55 0.78 0.83 1.15 1.55 1.75 1.15 1.22 1.68 2.05 1.35 2.20 1.65 1.50 1.63 1.80 1.13

Elongated Length (Digital) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

DM Low (mm) 1.29 1.89 1.17 1.35 0.99 1.76 0.66 1.79 1.62 0.85 0.89 1.15 1.57 1.75 1.24 1.26 1.78 2.11 1.32 2.14 1.69 1.54 1.70 1.92 1.18

DM High (mm) 1.24 1.89 1.22 1.37 1.02 1.85 0.70 1.75 1.56 0.84 0.89 1.18 1.67 1.80 1.25 1.28 1.79 2.16 1.38 2.14 1.70 1.56 1.73 1.90 1.20

SJ Low (mm) 1.34 1.78 1.22 1.32 0.99 1.84 0.72 1.58 1.47 0.84 0.78 1.26 1.57 1.81 1.21 1.14 1.61 2.03 1.31 2.09 1.60 1.38 1.55 1.81 1.10

SJ High (mm) 1.34 1.78 1.21 1.31 1.00 1.87 0.70 1.62 1.51 0.83 0.80 1.29 1.60 1.79 1.24 1.18 1.59 2.02 1.35 2.11 1.63 1.44 1.57 1.84 1.16

Range (mm) 0.10 0.11 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.11 0.06 0.21 0.15 0.02 0.11 0.14 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.14 0.20 0.14 0.07 0.05 0.10 0.18 0.18 0.11 0.10

Mean (mm) 1.30 1.84 1.21 1.34 1.00 1.83 0.70 1.69 1.54 0.84 0.84 1.22 1.60 1.79 1.24 1.22 1.69 2.08 1.34 2.12 1.66 1.48 1.64 1.87 1.16


2011 IABPA ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE

October 3- 7, 2011 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

IABPA Conference Registration: $350.00

IABPA Late Registration $375.00—After August 30, 2011

Hotel Registration CUT-OFF DATE IS: August 30, 2011 Hotel room rates after August 30

th increase by $50 per day

PLEASE CHECK THE IABPA WEB SITE FOR CONSTANT UPDATES. CONFERENCE AGENDA TO

BE POSTED SOON!

Registration is Open

Welcome to the 2011 IABPA Conference! The Conference will be held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from October 3 - 7, 2011. You can book your reservation several ways by the link provided or by calling the hotel's reservation lines. Be sure to book your rooms early; we have a block of rooms set aside, and when booking reservations by phone, please use the reservation code IABPA. Conference Site Hotel Information: Hyatt Regency Milwaukee Tel: 800-233-1234 333 West Kilbourn Avenue You must specify that you are attending the Milwaukee, WI, USA 53203 International Assoc of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Phone: 1-414-276-1234 Conference to be guaranteed the discounted rate. Fax: 1-414-276-6338 www.milwaukeehyatt.com Check-in 3:00pm Check-out: 12:00pm

The 2011 Conference Committee has secured a room rate of only $95* per night plus tax for this Four Star Hotel! Your credit card will not be charged upon making a reservation. You will be charged upon check-in (3pm), or if you fail to cancel your room in a timely manner. Note: A credit card must be presented upon check-in to enable you to charge to their guest room. If you do not present a credit card, you will not be permitted to charge to your room. Note: * The prevailing government rate is $95 right now. We will not know the official rate until the per diem rate comes out for 2011. Reservations will be booked at the current government rate and then changed either up or down when the new per diem rate is announced in September. The rate goes into effect October 1

st.

Hotel Cancellation Policy: Individual cancellations must be received at least 72 hours prior to arrival or

the individual guest will be subject to charges for the first night’s room and tax charge.

http://www.milwaukeehyatt.com/


The Hyatt Regency facility is a full service, first class Resort and Spa that offers outstanding recreational opportunities see the website for specifics. Parking: Hyatt Regency Milwaukee Valet parking at the rate of $15 per night (Including in/out privileges) is available at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Self-parking is available at the rate of $20 per night. Transportation: is the responsibility of the attendee. Milwaukee County’s International Airport 5300 South Howell Avenue Milwaukee Wisconsin USA 53207 Ph: 414-747-5300 E-mail: [email protected] TO/FROM our Milwaukee airport: Airport Connection cost $13 per person each way or $24 roundtrip. Reservations only! Please call 414/769-2451 or 1-800-236-5450 to make reservations. Contact the concierge or bell staff for transportation from our Milwaukee, Wisconsin airport hotel to the airport. Taxi: Approximately $25.00 Trip distance: 9.56 miles Time: 16 minutes. Speaker Information—THERE ARE STILL A FEW OPENINGS FOR SPEAKERS-- All 2011 IABPA Conference speakers should check in at the speaker registration desk on the second floor during conference registration hours to pick up their name badges and conference materials. Monday, October 3: 3:00pm - 7:00pm Tuesday, October 4: 7:00am - 4:30 pm Wednesday, October 5: 7:00am - 4:30pm Thursday, October 6: 7:00am - 4:30 pm Friday, October 7: 7:00am - Noon Lecture sessions and interactive workshops - Learn the latest from experts in the field - Hear from experienced keynote speakers - Participate in interactive Wednesday night Case Study discussions - Network and learn from other people in your field Meals: A continental breakfast and an afternoon snack will be provided daily. If additional meals are scheduled (i.e. Luncheon) they will be posted here at a later date. Please check back for additional information. Numerous restaurants are within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee

For more information, please contact: Todd Thorne, President 1000 55

th Street

Kenosha, WI USA 53140 1-262-605-5246 E-mail: [email protected]




Update on BPA Activities in Turkey

Dr. Faruk Asicioglu, MD, PhD, forensic medicine specialist and medical biologist in Istanbul, Turkey gave a Bloodstain Pattern Analysis presentation and workshop on October 25

th, 2010 as

part of the continuing medical education program of Gian Sagar University Medical College in Patiala City, Punjab, India. Dr. Asicioglu is also the Chairman 5

th Committee of the Council of

Forensic Medicine in Turkey. A PowerPoint of his presentation and a video of the conference can be viewed at the website of Abgeder – Forensic Biology, Forensic Genetics and Gene Law Society, http://en.abgeder.org.

Dr. Faruk Asicioglu, MD, PhD on left with British geneticist Sir Alec

Jeffreys at the conference in India.

http://en.abgeder.org/


SWGSTAIN UPDATE

SWGSTAIN has approved the "Guidelines for Proficiency Testing in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis." This and other SWGSTAIN guidance documents are available at http://www.swgstain.org/resources. SWGSTAIN has published a draft of "Guidelines for the Validation of New Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis" for public comment and review. This document is available for review at http://www.swgstain.org/subcommittees/sub-legal. Please address any feedback or constructive criticism to Jeff Gurvis, Chair of the Legal Subcommittee at [email protected] by March 7, 2011. David P. Baldwin Chair, Scientific Working Group on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 130 Spedding Hall, Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011 (515)294-2069, Fax -4748 [email protected]

Abstracts of Recent Articles in the Scientific Literature

Au, C., Jackson-Smith, H., Quinones, I., Jones, B.J., and Daniel, B., Wet Powder Suspensions as an Additional Technique for the Enhancement of Bloody Marks, Forensic Science International, Volume 204, Issue 1, January 2011, pp. 13-18.

Abstract:

The enhancement of marks in blood on dark surfaces poses significant challenges to the forensic scientist. Current

methods of enhancements include the sequential use of acid dyes (acid yellow, acid violet and acid black). Acid

yellow is used to greatest effect on lighter deposits of blood on a non-porous background and is visualized using a

light source which causes it to fluoresce [1]. However, further enhancement with acid violet and acid black produces

a dark product which may fail to improve the contrast of the mark against a dark background.

The use of wet powder suspensions (WPSs) has been proposed as a complimentary procedure for use in finger

mark enhancement beyond its typical use in the enhancement of marks on adhesive surfaces. In this investigation,

the use of WPS was tested in conjunction with conventional dye treatments on marks in blood deposited on a

selection of substrates. The results demonstrated that white WPS alone or together with acid dyes results in an

overall enhancement of mark quality (p<0.005) on marks deposited on smooth, non-porous surfaces.

The technique was shown not to interfere with subsequent presumptive tests on blood. However, WPS treatments

were shown to reduce the amount of DNA recoverable from the marks, resulting on an average decrease of 91%

compared to untreated controls. The decline in DNA yields was shown to result in a decrease in the quality of the

DNA profiles obtained.

The enhancement properties of WPS were evaluated by electron microscopy. It was shown that the titanium

dioxide particles in the WPS primarily interact with the non-bloodied part of the mark, thus producing a contrasting

effect with the background and acid dyes.

http://www.swgstain.org/resources

http://www.swgstain.org/subcommittees/sub-legal




Denison, D., Porter, A., Mills, M., and Schroter, R.C. Forensic Implications of Respiratory Derived Blood Spatter Distributions, Forensic Science International, Volume 204, Issue 1, January 2011 pp. 144-155. Abstract:

The nature of blood aerosols produced in physiological studies of an upright subject expiring small volumes

through straws, spitting and mouthing sounds, and a semi-prone subject spitting through a bloody mouth or snorting

through a single nasal orifice and by a simplified physical model of the respiratory system were investigated. Each

manoeuvre produced many hundreds of droplets of a range of size, the vast majority being less than 1 mm diameter.

Droplets under 1mm dia. Travelled over 1 m – much further than could be expected if their flight was ballistic like

that of impact spatter. Respired blood aerosol properties are explained in terms of established mechanics of airflow

shear, induced aerosol production and the fluid mechanics of exhaled air movement.

Striman, B., Fujikawa, A., Barksdale, L., and Carter, D.O., Alteration of Expirated Bloodstain Patterns by Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera Calliphoridae) Through Ingestion and Deposition of Artifacts, J. Forensic Sci., January 2011, Vol. 56, No. S1 Abstract:

Bloodstain pattern analysis can provide insight into a sequence of events associated with a violent crime.

However, bloodstain pattern analysis can be confounded by the feeding activities of blow flies. We conducted two

laboratory experiments to investigate the relationships between Lucilia sericata (Green bottle fly) and the

Calliphora vicina (blue bottle fly), expirated bloodstains and pooled bloodstains on a range of surfaces (linoleum,

wallpaper, textured paint). C. vicina and L. sericata changed bloodstain pattern morphology through feeding and

defecation. They also deposited artifacts in rooms where blood was not present originally. Chemically presumptive

tests (Hemastix®, phenolphthalein, leucocrystal violet, fluorescein) were not able to differentiate between insect

artifacts and bloodstains. Thus, C. vicina and L. sericata can confound bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene

investigation, and reconstruction. Crime scene investigators should be aware of these fundamental behaviors and the

effects that blow flies can have on expirated and pooled bloodstain patterns.


Organizational Notices

Moving Soon?

All changes of mailing address need to be supplied to our Secretary Norman Reeves. Each quarter

Norman forwards completed address labels for those who are members. Do not send change of address information to the Bloodstain Digest Editor. E-mail your new address to Norman Reeves at:

[email protected]

Norman Reeves

I.A.B.P.A.

12139 E. Makohoh Trail

Tucson, Arizona 85749-8179

Fax: 520-760-5590

Membership Applications / Request for Promotion

Applications for membership as well as for promotion are available on the IABPA website:

IABPA Website: http://www.iabpa.org

The fees for application of membership and yearly dues are $40.00 US each. If you have not received a dues invoice for 2011 please contact Norman Reeves. Apparently, non US credit cards are charging a fee above and beyond the $ 40.00 membership/application fee. Your credit card is charged only $40.00 US by the IABPA. Any additional fees are imposed by the credit card companies.

IABPA now accepts the following credit cards:

Discover MasterCard

American Express Visa


http://www.iabpa.org/


Training Opportunities

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

March 7-11, 2011 Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Workshop

Presented by the Specialized Training Unit at the Miami-Dade Safety Training Institute,

Doral, Florida

Contact: Toby L. Wolson, M.S., F-ABC

Forensic Services Bureau

9105 N.W. 25th

Street

Doral, Florida 33172

Voice: 305-471-3041

Fax: 305-471-2052

E-mail: [email protected]

___________________________________________________________________________

March 21-25, 2011

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course Usingen, Germany

(English) For further information contact:

Dr. Silke Brodbeck, MD

Blutspureninstitut

Obergasse 20

61250 Usingen

Germany

Tel: +49-170-84 84 248

Fax: +49-6081-14879


______________________________________________________________________________

March 23-April 1, 2011

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course

Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, Wisconsin

Instructor: Paul E. Kish

Contact: Dan Feucht


______________________________________________________________________________




______________________________________________________________________________

May 2-6 2011

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course Usingen, Germany

(German)

For further information contact:


Blutspureninstitut

Obergasse 20

61250 Usingen

Germany

Tel: +49-170-84 84 248

Fax: +49-6081-14879


______________________________________________________________________________

May 2-6, 2011

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Norman, Oklahoma

Instructors: Tom Bevel and Craig Gravel

Contact: Craig Gravel, Training Coordinator

Tel: 405-706-8489


_____________________________________________________________________________________________

June 6-10, 2011

Visualization of Latent Bloodstains Course Elmira College

Elmira, New York

Instructors: Paul Erwin Kish and Martin Eversdijk

Contact: Paul Erwin Kish

Tel: 607-962-8092


www.paulkish.com

__________________________________________________________________________




http://www.paulkish.com/


__________________________________________________________________________

June 13-17, 2011

Visualization of Latent Bloodstains Course Elmira College

Elmira, New York

Instructors: Paul Erwin Kish and Martin Eversdijk

Contact: Paul Erwin Kish

Tel: 607-962-8092


www.paulkish.com

______________________________________________________________________________

June 13-17, 2011 Basic Bloodstain Pattern Program

Bloodstain Evidence Institute Contact: Herbert Leon MacDonell, Director

Post Office Box 1111

Corning, New York 14830

Tel: 607962-6581


____________________________________________________________________________

September 19-23, 2011

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Program Bloodstain Evidence Institute

Contact: Herbert Leon MacDonell, Director

Post Office Box 1111

Corning, New York 14830

Tel: 607962-6581


___________________________________________________________________________





____________________________________________________________________________

August 29 – September 2, 2011 Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course

Usingen, Germany (English)



Blutspureninstitut

Obergasse 20

61250 Usingen

Germany

Tel: +49-170-84 84 248

Fax: +49-6081-14879


______________________________________________________________________________

September 19-23, 2011 Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course

Boone County Sheriff’s Department Burlington, Kentucky

Instructors: Paul E. Kish

Stuart H. James

Contact: Paul E. Kish

Forensic Consultant and Associates

Tel: 607-962-8092


www.paulkish.com

___________________________________________________________________________

September 19-23, 2011

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course Usingen, Germany

(German)



Blutspureninstitut

Obergasse 20

61250 Usingen

Germany

Tel: +49-170-84 84 248

Fax: +49-6081-14879


______________________________________________________________________________






______________________________________________________________________________

December 5-9, 2011 Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Workshop

Presented by the Specialized Training Unit at the Miami-Dade Safety Training Institute,

Doral, Florida

Contact: Toby L. Wolson, M.S., F-ABC

Forensic Services Bureau

9105 N.W. 25th

Street

Doral, Florida 33172

Voice: 305-471-3041

Fax: 305-471-2052


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Articles and training announcements for the June 2011 issue of the Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis must be received before May 15th, 2011



Editor’s Corner It has been twenty-six years since the first issue of the IABPA News was published in 1985.

The first Editor of our publication was Anita Wonder. Since my tenure as Editor since 2004, I have frequently expressed an interest in upgrading the stature of the IABPA NEWS to a Journal. Many discussions were held with Associate Editors as to whether the limited number of research articles and case reports published in the past would substantiate the change to Journal status. It was decided that it was time for a change. The proposal was submitted to the Board and the vote was affirmative. The time has arrived and we now have the Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – The Official Publication of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. The new cover was designed by Carolyn Gannett. You will see that Vol. 27, No.1 is a continuation of the sequence of the issues of the former IABPA NEWS rather than starting with Vol. 1, No.1 We as an organization now have the responsibility of maintaining the quality of our new publication by members demonstrating a renewed interest in submitting articles for peer review and publication.

The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis will still publish IABPA membership information and training opportunities. President Todd Thorne has requested that the Chairs of the Committees submit quarterly reports by May 15

th, August 15

th and November 15th for

publication in the upcoming issues. Stuart H. James Editor [email protected]

IABPA NEWS Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

June 1985 March 2011



Past Presidents of the IABPA

V. Thomas Bevel 1983-1984

Charles Edel 1985-1987

Warren R. Darby 1988

Rod D. Englert 1989-1990

Edward Podworny 1991-1992

Tom J. Griffin 1993-1994

Toby L. Wolson, M.S. 1995-1996

Daniel V. Christman 1997-1998

Phyllis T. Rollan 1999-2000

Daniel Rahn 2001-2002

Bill Basso 2002-2006

LeeAnn Singley 2007-2008

Publication Committee

Associate Editors

Barton P. Epstein

Carolyn Gannett

Paul E. Kish

Daniel Mabel

Jon J. Nordby

Joseph Slemko

Robert P. Spalding

T. Paulette Sutton

Todd A. Thorne

The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. 2011. The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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