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Journal of Bloodstain Pattern

Analysis

The Official Publication of the

International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

Volume 31 Number 3 December 2015

Table of Contents

2015 IABPA Officers 1

President’s Message 2

A Preliminary Validation of the Use of 3D Scanning

for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Eugene Liscio1, Sandro Bortot

2, John Frankcom

3,

Tonya Hackenbrook4, Jeffrey Inch

5, Robert Lamarche

6,

Trevor Penney7, Brian Allen

8, Fons Chafe

9, and Brian Yamashita

10 3

Abstracts of Presentations and Workshops Given at the 2015 IABPA Training Conference in Fort Worth, Texas 11 IABPA 2015 Business Meeting Minutes 25 Michael Taylor Recipient of IAPBA Distinguished Member Award 29 The ANZFSS 23rd ANZFSS International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences 30 Recent BPA Related Articles in the Scientific Literature 31

Organizational Notices 31

Training Opportunities 32

Editor’s Corner 35

Publication Committee and Associate Editors 36

Past Editors of the IABPA News/Journal of

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 36

Past Presidents of the IABPA 36

Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 1 Vol. 31 No. 3 December 2015

2015 IABPA Officers

PRESIDENT Patrick Laturnus [email protected]

Vice President - Region I Vice President - Region II Pacific Mountain

Don Schuessler Richard J. Tewes

[email protected] [email protected] Vice President - Region III Vice President, Region IV Central Eastern DeWayne Morris Gord Lefebvre

[email protected] [email protected] Vice President - Region V Vice President - Region VI European Pacific Rim Martin Eversdijk Ted Silenieks

[email protected] [email protected]

Secretary / Treasurer Sergeant at Arms Norman Reeves Jeffrey Scozzafava [email protected] [email protected]

Historian Stuart H. James

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



President’s Message

Here it is the end of another year and time to reflect on the plus - minus of 2015. No doubt about it…. we find ourselves on the plus side and challenge 2016 to be better. This year we saw two IAPBA Training Conferences that showcased the great progress we’ve made in our discipline. Rome, Italy and Fort Worth, Texas were packed with excellent speakers. I was so pleased to attend and then comment on the Rome conference in the June publication of this Journal.

Fort Worth was outstanding and memorable for the quality of speakers as well as some innovative ideas. One of the organizers, DeWayne Morris said of the other, Cele Rossi: “Cele took charge of this thing and worked every aspect to make it such a great success.” We enjoyed the attendance of 141 participants who heard first class speakers. Cele used social media to great advantage and organized several great networking events that accomplished so much.

It was such a privilege for me to be involved in the presentation of our most recent Distinguished Member: Dr. Michael Taylor. Michael’s contribution to the discipline of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis reads like he’s the one who discovered it. We have all benefitted and continue to benefit from his contributions of innovative research and development. He has been a key speaker at so many IABPA Training Conferences and Michael we look forward to your good health and the next time we meet.

The work of our Committees and the Executive Board provides us with the focus needed to move forward in today’s challenging forensic landscape. We recognize the need to maintain a strong scientific basis for analysis, reporting and courtroom testimony. All of these volunteers put in long hours for the IABPA and we appreciate their work.

As I bring this December 2015 President’s letter to a close it also closes my term as your IABPA President. This short time has given me some of my favorite memories; it’s been such a great experience. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Pat Laturnus President IAPBA


A Preliminary Validation of the Use of 3D Scanning for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Eugene Liscio

1, Sandro Bortot

2, John Frankcom

3, Tonya Hackenbrook

4, Jeffrey Inch

5, Robert

Lamarche6, Trevor Penney

7, Brian Allen

8, Fons Chafe

9, and Brian Yamashita

10

Abstract

3D scanning technology is beginning to be used more commonly to record crime scenes. Besides being able to document the scene and the locations of evidence within it, 3D scanners and associated software can now be used to analyze impact bloodstain patterns. In the present study, two “double-blow” impact patterns were created in a classroom setting for analysis using both the HemoSpat bloodstain pattern analysis software and the FARO Focus3D scanner with FARO Scene software. Both methods produced area of origin results that were acceptably close to the actual initial blood source location.

Introduction

Impact bloodstain patterns, created when a blow is struck, can sometimes be analyzed to try to determine the approximate location of the source of the blood [1]. With this information in hand, an investigator can try to determine what might have occurred at the scene of the crime. Blood source areas of origin may indicate how many blows were struck, and possibly whether or not the victim was standing, sitting, kneeling, or lying on the ground. This can be used effectively to corroborate or refute witness, suspect, or victim statements.

A simple low-tech means of analyzing an impact bloodstain pattern is stringing [2-4]. A line drawn through the long axes of stains on the wall will indicate a direction of travel, in the plane of the wall for the blood drops that created the stains (γ angle). A simple mathematical equation using the width and length of the elliptical stain to approximate the angle at which the drop struck the wall (α angle) can be calculated for each stain being used in the analysis.

Sin (α) = width/length

A length of string can be attached to the wall at the leading edge of a stain, and then can be

oriented to match the γ angle of the long axis of the stain and pulled out until it matches the α angle. When this is done for several stains, the strings will cross in the approximate vicinity of the blood source location, or area of origin (Figure 1).

A less cumbersome approach is the so-called “Tangent Method” [2-5]. The lines drawn along the long axes of the elliptical stains are extended along the wall until they cross at an approximate point of origin in the plane of the wall resulting in the determination of two dimensions of the blood source location, the height and the distance from the side wall. The sine of the α angle is calculated as before from the width and length of each stain. The third dimension of the source location is then calculated from the tangent of α, using the distance along the wall from the stain to the point of origin as one leg of a right triangle (side adjacent to angle α). The distance out from the wall is then the second leg of the right triangle (side opposite angle α).

______________________________________________________________________________ 1Ai2-3D, 352 Via Carmine Avenue, Woodbridge, ON, L4H 2N8, CANADA,

2 Greater Sudbury Police Service, 190

Brady Street, Sudbury, ON, P3E 1C7, CANADA, 3Ontario Provincial Police, Kenora Forensic Identification Services,

20-B1 Anderson Road, P.O. Box 2490, Kenora, ON, P9N 3X7, CANADA. 4Peel Regional Police, 7750 Hurontario

Street, Brampton, ON, L6V 3W6, CANADA, 5Niagara Regional Police, 68 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 3C6,

CANADA, 6Ontario Provincial Police, 1 Mille Roches Road, P.O. Box 519, Long Sault, ON, K0C 1P0, CANADA,

7Royal Canadian Mounted Police, NFISS, 80 Garland Avenue, Mailstop #H-059, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0J8, CANADA,

8Ontario Police College, 10716 Hacienda Road, Box 1190, Aylmer, ON, N5H 2T2, CANADA,

9MacEwan University,

Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies, 9-407F, 10700 104 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4S2, CANADA, 10

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Integrated Forensic Identification Services, 1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2, CANADA


Figure 1. Stringing of a bloodstain pattern.

Computer programs are now available that will calculate where virtual strings will cross resulting in a calculated area of origin complete with standard deviation. These programs use the concept of Directional Analysis [3, 6-8] to calculate two dimensions of the source location in the plane of the floor. A view of the virtual strings from the side is then used to calculate the height of the blood source. BackTrack™ was one of the first such programs introduced to the bloodstain community [9-11]. Subsequently, a similar program, HemoSpat, has been developed [12, 13].

Three-dimensional laser scanning has been introduced recently as a new method for capturing details at a crime scene [14, 15]. Besides being able to record and measure items and locations in the scene, calculations can also be carried out, measuring things like distances between points [14, 15]. As well, with the correct software installed, the data collected by the 3D scanner can be processed to determine the area of origin for the bloodstains. Experiments have been done to demonstrate this technique for bloodstains on a single flat wall [16] and on multiple surfaces [17] with very acceptable results.

In this study, both the HemoSpat program and the FARO Scene (with Forensic Plugin) were used to analyze the same bloodstain patterns and the results were compared to the known blood source locations. A similar comparison study has been done recently, which included comparing the time required for each form of analysis [18].

Materials and Methods

As part of a bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) course being delivered at the Ontario Police College, students were instructed to create a “double-blow” impact pattern. A five ( 5) mL pool of sheep’s blood was placed on top of a wooden post and struck with a hammer, to create a classic V-shaped pattern. A second pattern was created using a different post in a different location so that the overall pattern consisted of two well-separated impact patterns (Figures 2 and 3).


Figure 2. Double-blow pattern created at the Ontario Police College, after stains have been selected for HemoSpat analysis and 3D scanning.

Figure 3. Offset surfaces from double-blow pattern, after stains have been selected for HemoSpat analysis and 3D scanning.


A second group of students was assigned to analyze the double-blow pattern without knowing the coordinates of the original blood source location. Processing consisted of selecting a suitable number of upward-moving stains, measuring their location, and photographing the stains. The data were entered into the HemoSpat program (Version 1.7.3, FORident Software, Inc., Ottawa, ON) for analysis, to determine the locations of the two blood sources.

The same pattern was then analyzed using the FARO Focus3D

laser scanner and FARO Scene software (FARO Technologies, Inc., Lake Mary, FL) with Forensic Plugin [16]. The process began by identifying which stains were to be utilized. Longer and more elliptical stains located in clusters were ideal since a larger number of stains could be analyzed in a single photograph. Where possible, clusters of bloodstains were chosen such that they provided good coverage for the area encompassing the stain. Black and white reference markers were placed amongst chosen clusters of bloodstains on various surfaces in the scene as shown in Figure 4 and then each cluster was photographed such that a minimum of 5-8 of the reference markers would be included in each photograph. These reference markers were used to identify discrete locations between the photograph and the laser scan data in the FARO Scene software.

Figure 4. Example of reference markers applied to the bloodstained surface prior to 3D scanning.

Once photographed, the FARO Focus3D

laser scanner was used to collect data from the scene for later analysis. Typically, a dense scan is necessary with a point spacing in the area of the bloodstain of approximately 1mm or less. A single scan was required to document each individual bloodstain pattern with a total scanning time of approximately 25 minutes for 4 impacts.

Once the scanning process was complete, the laser scans were imported into the FARO Scene software as were the images used for each cluster of bloodstains. The basic process in the FARO Scene software is to create a “virtual scan” by converting each pixel of the photograph into a 3D point similar to a flat plane. Initially, this virtual scan has a default scale and location and is not aligned nor oriented in the correct space relative to the bloodstain. Hence, the next step was to create a plane in each area where the photographs were to be placed on the wall. A selection of points is made on the laser scan data and a flat plane is created. Subsequently, a matching process using reference points must be performed. Using the centre of the reference markers as a selected location the corresponding point (or closest point available) in the laser scan data is selected. This


process was repeated a minimum of five times with a well distributed set of points. The photograph (or virtual scan) was then scaled and “fit” to the 3D data. The FARO Scene software reports how well the ‘fit” of the photograph matches the 3D data by reporting a 2D and 3D deviation. The 2D deviation is reported in pixels while the 3D deviation was reported in millimetres. If done properly and with minimal errors, the result in the 3D View will appear to match well with only possible minor mismatches to the scan data.

Once the photograph was scaled and oriented, the process of marking the bloodstains began. A planar view of the photograph was opened and using the computer mouse, the start and end points along the major axis of the bloodstain ellipse were marked. Using the mouse scroll wheel the minor axis of the bloodstain ellipse was adjusted prior to clicking the back end point of the ellipse. Linear trajectories are immediately drawn showing a visual representation of the calculated impact angle. The ellipse marking was repeated several times for each photograph depending on the quality and quantity of bloodstains in each respective photograph. Once completed, it was then possible to calculate the closest point of intersection for the individual photograph.

The process of aligning the next photograph was repeated by creating a new plane (if necessary), then matching the photograph to the laser scan data, marking the ellipses and calculating a new point of origin for each individual photograph. Once all photographs were properly aligned to the scan data and had all their respective bloodstain ellipses marked, the entire set of trajectories were used to calculate the point of origin using the trajectories from all photographs. See Figures 5 and 6 for the results for the two double-blow patterns analyzed here.

Figure 5. Results generated by the FARO scanner superimposed on the crime scene for the first double-blow.


Figure 6. Results generated by the FARO scanner superimposed on the second crime scene for the second double-blow pattern.

Results

The known blood source locations, the results from the HemoSpat analysis and the results from the FARO processing are given in Table 1. As previously stated, the HemoSpat results were all generated with the analysts not knowing the actual blood source locations. Similarly, the FARO results were generated without any prior knowledge of the blood source locations.

Discussion

Validation studies have shown that the BackTrack™ suite of programs was capable of generating results that could determine an approximate area of origin within a few cm of the actual source location [9-11]. The HemoSpat program uses the same principles as BackTrack™, so it is expected that HemoSpat results would also fall well within an acceptable range of area of origin coordinates [12, 18, and 19]. The HemoSpat experiments done here provide another validation trial for the program when the results generated are compared to the known blood source locations. Similar unpublished validation trials are done every time this particular BPA course is taught.

As Table 1 indicates, the HemoSpat Y value, corresponding to the vertex of the “V” pattern, is determined with the greatest accuracy overall. In most cases, the height value, Z, shows the greatest discrepancy, as expected, with a maximum difference of 12 cm (4.7 inches). Because the drops are falling due to gravity, their flight paths are not always well-approximated by a straight line, so using a linear approximation will always trace a path back that goes above the actual blood source location. Knowing that the flight trajectory of a blood drop will be affected by gravity, the experiments done here tried to mitigate this effect by striking the blood from a location close to the walls. It should be noted that in an actual crime scene, if the source of blood is far from the walls, and the drops in flight have deviated greatly from a straight line approximation, the error for the Z coordinate may be greater than the differences reported here. However, the X and Y coordinates can still be estimated from stains created by downward moving drops [20].


Table 1 Comparison of results generated using the HemoSpat program vs. the FARO 3D scanner. Differences between calculated results and actual source coordinates are given in parentheses.

Impact #1 Actual/cm HemoSpat/cm (Δ) FARO/cm (Δ)

X = 56.0 63.8 (+7.8) 63.9 (+7.9)

Y= 51.0 52.4 (+1.4) 53.3 (+2.3)

Z= 17.0 29.0 (+12.0) 21.5 (+4.5)

Impact #2 Actual HemoSpat FARO

X = 33.0 33.8 (+0.8) 30.1 (-2.9)

Y= 131.0 131.5 (+0.5) 133.6 (+2.6)

Z= 56.0 61.8 (+5.8) 63.8 (+7.8)


X = 25.5 24.4 (-1.1) 21.4 (-4.1)

Y= 136.0 137.0 (+1.0) 135.6 (-0.4)

Z= 68.0 68.4 (+0.4) 58.4 (-9.6)


X = 60.0 60.0 (0.0) 55.9 (-4.1)

Y= 56.0 55.8 (-0.2) 51.9 (-4.1)

Z= 17.5 17.8 (+0.3) 18.3 (+0.8)

The results of the FARO analysis are comparable to the HemoSpat results with respect to the actual blood source locations. In most cases the difference between the FARO value and the known location was slightly greater than it was for the HemoSpat result. However, the greatest difference of 7.9 cm (3.1 inches) would be less than the radius of a basketball (or a human head), and would be considered a very acceptable result. Further, the fact that the FARO provides a 3D result that includes the image of the room allows for visualization of the blood source location in context as soon as the analysis is completed.

The FARO data collection proceeded very quickly but the subsequent analysis is quite involved. Although the FARO results corresponded well to the HemoSpat results, the instrument is expensive and the training required to use it is not trivial. However, if the instrument is already available, and an experienced analyst is present, the use of FARO technology would rival the use of a program like HemoSpat. An experienced FARO operator can conclude an analysis in a short period of time [18] and it could be accomplished easily by an investigator working alone. The HemoSpat program is much less expensive than 3D scanning equipment. Also, as the present results indicate, it is easy for “first-time users”, like the students in this course, to learn to use the software to generate very good results. Recent updates to HemoSpat allow for the processing of “clusters” of stains that require the


YZ measurements of only a single stain in the group, making overall processing quicker, or allowing for the straightforward inclusion of many more bloodstains in the analysis (A. Maloney, personal communication).

Both methods of impact pattern analysis produced very acceptable blood source location coordinates. Analysts could choose to use either method and be confident that the results would be comparable to one another. X and Y coordinates for the blood source can be determined with good accuracy, while the error in the Z coordinate will depend on the extent to which gravity has affected the flight paths of the drops of blood.

Acknowledgements

We thank Andy Maloney for providing the HemoSpat software, and for many helpful discussions.

References

1. Young T and Ortmeier PJ. Crime Scene Investigation. The Forensic Technician’s Field Manual. Upper Saddle

River, NJ: Pearson; 2011, 297-299.

2. Ibid., 311-314

3. Bevel T and Gardner RM. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: With an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction, 3rd

Ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2008, 183-197.

4. James SH, Kish PE, and Sutton TP. Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Theory and Practice. Boca Raton,

FL: CRC Press; 2005, 217-239.

5. Chafe F. The Tangent Method and Spreadsheets. Determining Point or Area of Origin in Bloodstain Pattern

Analysis, IABPA News. 2007; 23 (3): 4 – 14.

6. Carter AL and Podworny EJ. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis with a Scientific Calculator. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. J.

1991; 24 (1): 37-42.

7. Carter AL. The Directional Analysis of Bloodstain Patterns. Theory and Experimental Validation. Can. Soc.

Forensic Sci. J. 2001; 34 (4): 173-189.

8. Carter AL. Directional Analysis of Bloodstain Patterns with a Computer in: James SH, Kish PE, and Sutton TP.

Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Theory and Practice. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2005, 241-261.

9. Wright JC. The Validation of BackTrack™ for Use in Casework in the UK. Presented at: International Association

of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts Training Conference, Harrisburg, PA, October 2002.

10. Carter AL, Illes M, Maloney K, Yamashita AB, Allen B, Brown B, Davidson L, Ellis G, Gallant J, Gradkowski A,

Hignell J, Jory S, Laturnus PL, Moore CC, Pembroke R, Richard A, Spenard R, and Stewart C. Further Validation

of the BackTrack™ Computer Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – Precision and Accuracy. IABPA News.

2005; 21 (3): 15 - 22.

11. Carter AL, Forsythe-Erman J, Hawkes V, Illes M, Laturnus P, Lefebvre G, Stewart C, and Yamashita B. Validation

of the BackTrack Suite of Programs for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. J. Forensic Ident. 2006; 56 (2): 242-254.

12. <www.forident.com> Accessed October 26, 2015.

13. Maloney K, Killeen J, and Maloney A. The Use of HemoSpat to Include Bloodstains Located on Nonorthogonal

Surfaces in Area-of-Origin Calculations. J. Forensic Ident. 2009; 59 (5): 513-524.

14. <www.faro.com/measurement-solutions/industries/forensics> Accessed October 16, 2015.

15. <http://psg.leica-geosystems.us> Accessed October 22, 2015.

16. Hakim N and Liscio E. Calculating Point of Origin of Blood Spatter Using Laser Scanning Technology. J. Forensic

Sci. 2015; 60 (2): 409-417.

17. Lee R and Liscio E. The Accuracy of Laser Scanning Technology on the Determination of Bloodstain Origin. Can.

Soc. Forensic Sci. J. Accepted for publication.

18. Dubyk M and Liscio E. Validation Study in the Analyzing of Bloodstain Impact Patterns Comparing the FARO®

X330 Laser Scanner to Hemospat. Submitted for publication.

19. deBruin KG, Reinoud RD and Limborgh JCM. Improving the Point of Origin Determination in Bloodstain Pattern

Analysis. J. Forensic Sci. 2011; 56 (6): 1476-1482.

20. Illes MB, Carter AL, Laturnus PL, and Yamashita AB. Use of the BackTrack™ Computer Program for Bloodstain

Pattern Analysis of Stains from Downward-Moving Drops. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. J. 2005; 38 (4): 213-217.


Abstracts of Presentations and Workshops Given at the 2015 IABPA Training Conference in Fort Worth, Texas

Presentations

Mechanism of Injury and Resulting Bloodstains Daniel Christman Abstract:

Crime scene investigators see a variety of wounds resulting from both intentional and

unintentional injury. The most common types of injuries observed in criminal investigations can be sorted into three distinct categories:

1. Blunt Force Injuries: Abrasions, Contusions, and Lacerations and Fractures 2. Sharp Force Injuries: Stab Wounds and Incised Wounds 3. Firearm Injuries: Gunshot Wounds

Bloodstain pattern analysts routinely examine the relative size, shape and distribution of

bloodstains, but before their conclusions are memorialized in a final report, analysts must review all relevant information available. One of the key portions of a bloodstain pattern analysis is establishing and understanding the nexus between injuries and bloodshed.

This presentation is designed to help correctly identify, describe, and understand the mechanism of injury, and then predict the resulting type of bloodstain evidence one might expect to see during the course of an investigation.

Documentation of Bloodstain Pattern Crime Scenes and Evidence in the 21

st Century

Toby L. Wolson Abstract:

This presentation is a review of the bloodstain pattern evidence documentation procedures in a digital age.

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee Update

Toby L. Wolson Abstract:

This presentation is an update discussing the goals, objectives and progress of the OSAC BPA

Subcommittee.


Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Procedures ISO Accredited Philippe Esperança, CBPE Abstract:

The Forensic expert has to demonstrate that his expertise conclusions follow a strong, independent and coherent argumentation and a demonstrative method. With this goal and following the recommendations of the 2009 NAS report, I established bloodstain pattern analysis procedures following the ISO 17020 standard. This ISO standard asks to demonstrate the independence and objectivity of the expert, the methods used and his maintain of competences to be able to provide robust BPA conclusions. The same standard provides guidelines to the report written to show the procedures followed, the analyses done, their results and the conclusion reached. This presentation will show you my Bloodstain Pattern Analysis procedures ISO accredited and a model of a BPA report.

Bloodstain Pattern Identification Key Philippe Esperança, CBPE Abstract:

The first step of the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is the recognition of the bloodstains studied. It’s well admitted that the recognition has to be through the examination of the shapes, locations and distribution patterns of bloodstains. This identification process reminded me my first academic studies: Entomology. For insects as well as for all animals and plants, exists key of identification allowing their user to identify the insect, animal or plant that he is studying. So why not doing the same for the bloodstain recognition!

I needed seven years to establish a robust bloodstain pattern identification key that I am ready to present you during this meeting. Using this tool for the bloodstain pattern recognition allowed me to obtain the ISO 17020 accreditation for my global bloodstain pattern analysis procedures. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Forensic European Community Philippe Esperança, CBPE Abstract:

The ENFSI Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Project Group (ENFSI BPA PG) had been approved without objection at the 2013 ENFSI Annual Meeting. The ENFSI BPA PG challenge is to bring together organizations actively pursuing bloodstain pattern analysis methods for exchanging and disseminating BPA knowledge and in particular:

To discuss, share and compare bloodstain pattern analysis methods, protocols and

research; To establish bloodstain pattern analysis quality assurance guidelines and quality

controls for Europe; To co-operate with other national and international organizations in developing

European standards for bloodstain pattern analysis; To serve as a mechanism for the review and revision of European guidelines for

bloodstain pattern analysis;


To disseminate to the European forensic bloodstain pattern analysis community, ENFSI guidelines, forensic research results, the provision of training and any other work of benefit.

Fifteen ENFSI member institutes were present at the inaugural meeting – this has now increased to

nineteen, of which sixteen are ENFSI members. Sixteen countries were represented. The representatives have shown enthusiasm and a willingness to invest time. This demonstrates the demand for a forum of discussion in relation to BPA. A third meeting is already planned for Berlin in 2016. Do We ‘See’ What We ‘Think’? - An eye tracking approach to bloodstain pattern classification Ravishka Arthur M.Sc. (Hons), R.M. Arthur, K.G. de Bruin, and M.C. Taylor Abstract:

One of the fundamental skills of a bloodstain pattern expert is the ability to visually identify

unique characteristics of bloodstain patterns and relate this to the most likely causative mechanism. Well-trained and experienced experts can easily identify and describe pattern features with reference to established blood-fluid dynamics. However, little is actually understood about how these features are consolidated to form a pattern classification.

We hypothesize that by studying the eye movements of BPA experts when viewing different

bloodstain patterns, it might be possible to infer how experts process a pattern. This may allow us to isolate the main visual characteristics that experts spend time/attention looking at.

The proposed experiment raises some interesting questions. For example, could training experts to ‘look’ in critical areas of the pattern help with forming more reliable pattern conclusions? Are there areas of the pattern that warrant greater attention or could there be features that are commonly misinterpreted by different experts?

This presentation outlines the rationale behind eye tracking BPA experts and calls for the participation of volunteers for a preliminary eye tracking experiment.

Fifty Shades of Blood: The Fundamentals of Blood and Fabric Interaction Under the Slow Motion Microscope Dr. Elisabeth Williams, Margaret Dodds and Dr. Michael Taylor Abstract:

Violent crime resulting in bloodshed often sees the deposition of blood on clothing, linen and upholstery. Objective analysis of bloodstains on those items can significantly improve the reliability of the crime scene reconstruction. The ability to classify small stains on a suspect’s clothing, for example, might offer an estimation of the distance between the wearer and the blood source during the bloodshed event. The dynamics of blood and fabric interaction present a complex problem for the forensic investigator. Previous research investigating how bloodstains form on fabric surfaces has focussed on passive stains and has been largely observational, but distorted and asymmetric spreading have been reported. Subsequently there is a dearth of objective information regarding the effects of particular fabric properties on the spreading behavior of impacting blood drops.

A systematic pilot study was conducted to characterise the micro-dynamics of spatter and porcine blood drops on twelve different fabrics. Spatter drops were produced using a purpose-built motorized blood droplet generation device. The fabrics selected represented a spectrum of fibre type and knit/weave structure commonly seen in clothing. Two high-speed video cameras, one fitted with a microscope lens, were used to capture the impact dynamics of blood impacting fabric surfaces.


The very high resolution and magnification of the microscope lens facilitated the capture of impact and spreading dynamics with a level of detail not previously reported. These images enabled some characterisation of the droplet to stain transition on different fabric surfaces. This has shed some light on the effect of different fabric characteristics on bloodstain formation. From My Perspective - AKA Photographic Point Perspective Corrections for Reconstruction Lynne D. Herold Abstract:

Perspective is defined as the ability to see all relevant data in a meaningful relationship and the

technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface. It would seem obvious that all of bloodstain pattern interpretation is dependent upon the proper and accurate appearance and spatial relationships that objects or a scene present to the eye. In BPA we strive to preserve the appearance of the 3-dimensional relationships and sizes in the form of 2-dimensional documentation by photography. But not all scenes are photographed for the purpose of BPA, only to find later in the investigation or prosecution there are probative questions that could possibly be answered by BPA. In addition, if the photographer is not the analyst, it is not uncommon to find that some photographs taken for the purposes of BPA are not adequate in the eyes of the analyst. Is that information irretrievable and lost to the investigator, justice system and trier of facts?

This presentation will include (but is not limited to):

Brief review of the conceptual basis of point perspective, vanishing point and parallax, Some tricks-of-the-trade for monitoring best practice photographic technique the conceptual basis of parallax and internal scaling to ensure accurate and precise 3-D to 2-

D documentation Practical casework examples using parallax and internal scaling for possible conceptual

rectifications of photographs for the purposes of BPA that were successful, or NOT.

The Report Everyone Wants to Write Norman Reeves Abstract:

The presentation is a discussion about bloodstain pattern analysis report writing, suggested methods and formats. Requirements in different countries and jurisdictions for report writing will be discussed. The relationship of writing a bloodstain pattern analysis report to the court system and attorneys will be discussed.

The report you have written and using it to the maximum benefit.

Common wording, grammar and spelling mistakes in the English language.

Proofreading methods will be suggested in the presentation.

The presentation will help with eliminating the OMG moments on the stand or in deposition

by providing proofreading techniques.

The advantages and limitations of peer review of your case and report.

The good, bad and the ugly, examples of reports written in the past by the presenter and

others.

Input from the attendees of methods for report writing in their jurisdiction and experience.


Cranial Backspatter Pattern Production Utilizing Human Cadaver Celestina Rossi Abstract: Have you ever had to answer the question on the stand, “Investigator, are you trying to tell this

jury that shooting a blood soaked sponge is the same as shooting a real person?” And have you ever thought twice about answering “Yes” or “The distribution is consistent”?

This presentation will look at the results of using a human cadaver to record the distribution of backspatter. The results were compared to shooting a blood soaked sponge at 18 inches to determine if in fact the results are the same. Fabrics and Training and Reports……Oh my! LeeAnn Singley Abstract:

A firm believer in on-going professional development and training, I have recently completed the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Fabrics training course developed by my Aussie friends and colleagues, Dr. Mark Reynolds and Mr. Ted Silenieks. Bloodstain pattern analysts have long understood that the target surface has a profound effect on the resulting bloodstains and patterns we observe. Perhaps for some though, the true difficulty associated with the analysis of bloodstains on fabrics has been misunderstood.

Fabrics, particularly the clothing we examine in an investigation, carry with it not only the challenges of the substrate, but also the challenges surrounding the fact that clothing often moves during and after blood is deposited. In an attempt to employ the knowledge obtained during training and apply it to “real life” situations, I began a study of the microscopic features of bloodstains on various clothing items. The items were worn by “role-players” utilized in the preparation of mock crime scenes. Features such as micro-satellite stains and coated fibers were noted to study the correlation between fabric types and the characteristics of spatter and transfer stains.

Preliminary data from this study will be shared. Time permitting, the presentation will then shift focus to a brief discussion of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst training requirements and report review. Triple Helix - Case Presentation Jo Millington

This presentation aims to convey the key scientific and court-based issues which arose during the investigation into the death of a Kent teenager in 2006. The case generated a mass of complex scientific (blood and DNA) evidence which brought challenges in interpretation and ultimately in presentation to the court. These challenges were addressed through close collaboration of scientists and counsel and involved the design of bespoke experimentation to investigate defence scenarios relating to blood transfer.

3D Technologies for Bloodstain Documentation Eugene Liscio Abstract:

The use of 3D technologies extends to more than just general crime scene documentation. Bloodstain Patterns can be analyzed and measured in great detail such that information that was not


documented at the crime scene may be obtained through techniques of combining 3d data with crime scene photographs. This presentation will focus on the laser scanner, photogrammetry and structured light scanners and how they can be used to document, analyze and visualize a crime scene for investigative purposes.

Accuracy, Bias and the Role of Contextual Information in Bloodstain Pattern Classification

Niki Osborne Abstract:

It is becoming increasingly apparent that contextual information can exert a considerable influence

on decisions about forensic evidence. Here, we explored how analyst characteristics relate to accuracy and bias on a bloodstain pattern classification task. Thirty-nine bloodstain pattern analysts with varying degrees of experience each completed measures of Compliance, Decision-Making style, and Need for Closure. Analysts first examined a bloodstain pattern without any additional contextual information, and allocated votes to listed pattern types according to favoured and less favoured classifications. Next, if they believed it would assist with their classification, analysts could request items of contextual information—from commonly encountered sources of information in bloodstain pattern analysis—and update their vote allocation. We calculated a shift—or bias—score based on vote reallocations as a function of each item of contextual information. Almost all items of contextual information influenced decision-making, with medical findings leading to the highest shift scores. Although shift scores were positively associated with an intuitive decision-making style, overall, bias in this study was a general tendency and did not vary meaningfully as a function of the cognitive measures and decision-making styles under investigation, or a lack of experience. Almost all of the erroneous classifications were made by novice analysts. The implications of our findings will be discussed.

Accident or Murder

Martin Eversdijk Abstract:

In May 2009 a very young girl died of extreme loss of blood caused by a slashed throat in her mother’s house. The mother’s ex-boyfriend, who was responsible for the cutting of the young girl’s carotid artery and jugular, stated it was an accident that happened in the living room. Her mother who was present when her daughter’s throat was cut had a totally different statement on the location and manner of the fatal cutting.

This presentation will discuss the crime scene and the physical evidence in this case including issues involving bloodstain pattern analysis, the statements by the opposing sides, the highlights of the BPA report and how it was written. Also the contribution of BPA in coherence with other forensic investigations/ outcomes that played a huge role during court in how the bloodstain patterns where most likely produced will be discussed. Using Dried Blood Drops for Determining the Area of Origin, Science or Science Fiction? Martin Eversdijk Abstract:

A part of Bloodstain pattern analysis is determining the location of the blood source or the area of

origin that created an impact pattern. Forensic bloodstain pattern analysts commonly use the stringing or tangent method to determine where this location was. These techniques are based on


straight flight lines of the blood drops to calculate the Area of Origin. Recently, some forensic researchers claim to have a more accurate measure method to reconstruct the accurate trajectory by calculating the impact velocity directly from the shape and volume of dried bloodstains. This presentation will discuss some of the fundamental physics and mathematics to better understand the principles that contribute to the production of impact patterns. By understanding these principles you will be able to give answer to the question if the impact velocity of dried blood drops can be accurately calculated and used in court or will this be science fiction. Free Software that can Improve BPA Reports: Typical Crime and Lonely Wolf Cases”

Kacper Choromanski

Abstract:

Every expert knows that a good BPA report has to be correct by all technical and logical standards.

It also has to be clear so that everyone who would read it would understand its conclusions. Experienced experts know that sometimes there are language problems, especially when analyst wants to describe location and position of offender or wants to describe the place where the crime happened. Thankfully we can use software that allows us to visualize scenarios that we want do describe. Unfortunately, quite often those programs are expensive, very specific and hard to use.

It is a serious obstacle for people who are not familiar with sophisticated 3D modeling or for experts and administration that can't afford such type of expensive software. In his presentation, the author will show free software that can help to improve BPA reports. The presentation will introduce the software, describe how it works and show what kind of result it can provide. Author will compare results of standard written report with the report containing simple 3D visualizations. This would help us to understand what kind of results can be expected by using this software and how helpful it can be. The cases that will be shown include: typical bloody crime case and also very specific case which is "lone wolf case".

This presentation is directed to all listeners. It will be helpful for beginners and advanced experts, both from private sector and from administration. The presentation of the potential of this software can be helpful both for countries that are trying to introduce BPA and for the jurisdictions that have been using BPA for many years. It can be a great starting point for thinking about new methods of BPA visualization in the modern court. Drying Blood in a Glovebox in a Controlled Atmosphere

Celine Nicloux Abstract:

Bloodstain pattern analysis provides answers to the questions “Where and What”. DNA answers to

the question about the “Who” but what can we learn more from blood on our crime scenes if we look at it with a fresh look?

Several publications exist concerning morphological criteria of a human serum drop while drying. Comparison has been made between serums which are presenting difference in their cracks and desiccation patterns. What about whole human blood? What could we learn in its drying cracks?

Working since 2009 with the French National Center of Research and being part of a research project sponsored by the National Research Program with three others Science Institutes, we are working on “blood while drying”.

First difficulty during our experiments was being as close as possible from the reality of our scenes. Blood is a complex fluid which continues to 'live' while outside the body and its composition is different from one day to another and from one people to another, so how obtain repeatability in experiments?


Furthermore, numerous medical publications exist concerning blood inside a body but what happens to blood as soon as it's outside? Which influences have surroundings on it and on its cracks?

This presentation does not claim to answer to all those questions, but only presents what we already learned about it through all our experiments until now?

Field Examples of Innovative Luminol Applications David Neale Abstract:

Chemical treatment of an area using luminol is a common way of detecting trace amounts of

blood. The power of this technique is demonstrated in two case studies that both involve significant visible bloodstaining. The interpretation/reconstruction of events at the scenes was then added to using the results of luminol testing. The first case study involves the tracking of the movements of a suspect through a house and then through their own property and involves comparison of luminol enhanced foot impressions with test impressions of the suspect’s feet. The second case study describes the following of a trail of footwear impressions from the homicide scene at the victim’s house to the suspect’s address over four consecutive nights. This allowed investigators to corroborate stories and led the Police Specialist Search Team to focus on what turned out to be an area of high significance in the case.

BPA in the Courtroom – Taking a BPA Case to trial

Brett Ligon and Kelly Blackburn Abstract: Courtroom Demonstratives Iris Dalley Abstract:

We examine the interrelationships of bloodstain patterns and other physical evidence in the context

of the scene to gain explicit knowledge of the events that occurred. The ultimate goal is to present that information to the Court in ways that are both accurate and understandable. A well-written report describes the scene, but mental images of the description may be as varied as the number of people reading the report. Courtroom demonstratives complement and clarify the written description, so that mental images are more consistent with the scene and evidence. The Court can then visualize the interrelationships of evidence in the context of the scene. This lecture will discuss various techniques for developing and publishing demonstrative exhibits that are both cost effective and simple to produce.

Factors Affecting the Near-Infrared Detection of Blood Evidence on Dyed Apparel Fabrics

Tess Mercer1, S. MacA. Fergusson

1, Rajiv Padhye

1, Edmund Silenieks

2

Abstract: The aim of crime scene analysis is to gather all physical and visible evidence possible. This

contributes essential information to investigators for an accurate interpretation of the crime scene,

identification of those involved and the corroboration and exoneration of witness' statements.


Blood is one of the most frequently encountered types of evidence at a crime scene. Unfortunately

it is not always easy to detect. With the help of a Near-Infrared-converted digital camera, non-

invasive bloodstain screening on dark or patterned fabrics is made possible. However, not all fabrics

allow for blood to be visualised using Near-Infrared photography.

This research investigates the influence different dyes have on a Near-Infrared converted camera's

ability or inability to capture blood evidence on fabrics, otherwise hidden from the unaided eye.

Each dyed fabric's unique interface reaction with the blood, coupled with the dye used, altered the

bloodstain's visibility and appearance. This enabled the establishment of factors prohibiting Near-

Infrared blood-visualisation, permitting predictions for other problematic fabric and dye

combinations.

Ultimately, this will aid forensic analysis of clothing, whereby fabrics which do not display any

blood under the Near-Infrared camera can be classified as problematic - based on fabric fibre origin,

construction and dye, or as non-problematic classes of dyed fabric. Workshops Advanced BPA of Fabrics: Understanding the Fundamentals Edmund (Ted) Silenieks and Dr. Mark Reynolds Abstract:

When blood is shed during the commission of a violent offence, the clothing of the victim(s), the

perpetrator(s) and nearby witnesses may become bloodstained. As such bloodstained clothing is regularly examined during the forensic investigation of those events. Whilst the use of DNA profiling to identify the contributor (source level evidence) of the bloodstains observed is now a routine and scientifically reliable procedure, the determination of the behaviour of those involved in the bloodshed event (activity level evidence) often relies, wholly or in part, on the correct evaluation and interpretation of the bloodstains and bloodstain patterns on the clothing items examined.

This workshop explores fundamental concepts germane to the accurate evaluation of these bloodstains and bloodstain patterns including the influence of fabric construction, fabric composition, 2D versus 3D exhibit examination, resultant vector concepts and curved surface influences. Workshop discussion will also highlight the fact that the theoretical models governing the evaluation and interpretation of bloodstains and bloodstain patterns on smooth, static non-porous surfaces often cannot be simply applied in the same manner when assessing bloodstains and bloodstain patterns on fabrics. Workshop attendees will gain preliminary insight into the added complexities involved in the assessment of bloodstains and bloodstain patterns on fabrics with a view that a greater understanding of the potential influences of the variables explored during the workshop may assist to improve the forensic value and reliability of the examinations they perform.

Pump up the (Blood) Volume: Simulated Projected Blood Patterns using the Arterial Pump Gillian Leak and Jo Millington Abstract:

The practical demonstration of vascular or ‘arterial damage staining’ in BPA training relies largely upon the use of various syringes and other props to simulate projected bloodstain patterns. The Arterial Pump

1 was developed in order for practitioners to generate and examine stains which more

accurately reflect those produced in vivo; however, access to this equipment can be limited. This workshop provides participants with a rare opportunity to see the arterial pump in action, and to examine and record the blood patterns that can be generated on clothing and surfaces commonly


encountered at scenes of crime. Photography during the workshop is encouraged and written permission to use any images in teaching or for publication can be sought from Jo Millington ([email protected]).

1. Stokes, M., C. Price and A. Emes. 1994. The Arterial Pump: A device for simulating arterial bleeding. MPFSL

Report: 1-15.

Impact Pattern Analysis and Visualization with HemoSpat Andy Maloney

Abstract: HemoSpat (http://hemospat.com) is a software tool used to determine the area of origin of an

impact pattern based on photos of the impact spatter and other scene documentation. It is designed for analysts who have completed at least a basic 40 hour bloodstain course; however this workshop is open to any who are interested. The purpose of this workshop is to give the attendees an overview of HemoSpat’s basic capabilities and to provide some hands on experience. It is targeted at participants who have never used HemoSpat or current users who need a refresher on the basics. The general outline is as follows:

1) Introduction/Background 2) Key Concepts 3) A Tour of the Interface 4) (Hands On) Analysis of a Single Surface Pattern 5) (Hands On) Visualization of Your Data 6) Questions/Comments/Suggestions Participants should have a laptop they can install the software on (Mac OS X or Windows). A

student version of the software will be used which requires an internet connection to function. Participants will be able use the software until 01 November 2015 should they want to experiment with it after the conference.

3D Technologies for Area of Origin Analysis Eugene Liscio Abstract:

The benefit of utilizing 3D technologies in an area of origin analysis is that documentation time is significantly reduced while the whole analysis can be visualized inside a virtual environment. This workshop will focus on using the laser scanner for an area of origin analysis and will give attendees a chance to use the hardware and software to perform an area of origin analysis. In addition, other methods of documentation will be shown and attendees will have a chance to process photographs to create a 3D model of a bloodstained piece of evidence.

IAI – BPA Certification Test Preparation Jeff Gurvis

This workshop will review the IAI Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification Program, collaboration with IABPA, application requirements, and testing process. Attendees will get a feel for the various types of questions on the test as well as practice with sample questions.


Daniel Christman Toby L. Wolson

Philippe Esperanca Ravishka Arthur

Dr. Elisabeth Williams Lynn D. Herold

Norman Reeves Celestina Rossi


LeeAnn Singley Edmund (Ted) Silenieks

Dr. Mark Reynolds Gillian Leaks

Jo Millington Andy Maloney

Eugene Liscio Jeff Gurvis


Niki Osborne Martin Eversdijk

Kacper Choromanski Celine Nicloux

Kelly Blackburn Brett Ligon

David Neale Iris Dalley


Tess Mercer Current Daniel Rahn Memorial Grant Recipient

President Pat Laturnus with Past Presidents of the IABPA in attendance at the Conference. Top row L-R. Tom “Grif” Griffin, Pat Laturnus, Todd A. Thorne, Dan Christman and Toby Wolson. Bottom row L-R. Iris Dalley and LeeAnn Singley


INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLOODSTAIN PATTERN ANALYSTS

2015 Business Meeting Minutes September 30, 2015 Fort Worth, Texas

Officers in Attendance Pat Laturnus, President Donald Schuessler, Vice President Region I Richard Tewes, Vice President Region II DeWayne Morris, Vice President Region III Gord Lefebvre, Vice President Region IV Martin Eversdijk, Vice President Region V Ted Silenieks, Vice President Region VI Norman Reeves, Secretary /Treasurer Jeffrey Scozzafava, Sergeant at Arms Stuart James, Historian 10:05AM President Laturnus called the meeting to order. President Laturnus requested a motion to approve

the 2014 meeting minutes published in the Journal and also available at the 2015 meeting. Todd Thorne moved that the minutes be approved and Celestina Rossi seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

President Laturnus requested a vote by the membership to approve the nomination of Dr. Michael Taylor to Distinguished Member. The voting members approved the nomination.

A motion for advancement from applicant to provisional members was made by Todd Thorne and seconded by Toby Wolson. The motion was approved. A motion for those members who made application from provisional to full member was made by Todd Thorne and seconded by Toby Wolson. The motion was approved. President Laturnus requested a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. Todd Thorne mad the motion and Colin Hoare seconded it.

President Laturnus discussed the Travel Grant, the Dan Rahn Grant and the 2015 European

conference in Rome, Italy. Vice President Don Scheussler, Region 1, Don indicated that he reviewed 19 applications. Jeff Scozzafava, Sergeant at Arms, had nothing to report and a description of his duties of

maintaining order at the meetings was described. Vice President Ted Silenieks, Region 6 will be called Oceanic ASEAN region. Ted

discussed the ANZFSS meeting and made a call for abstracts. Ted processed 9 new member applications and the region currently has 41 members.

Vice President Gord Lefebvre, Region 4, 60 applicants for membership were processed, 6 for full membership.

Martin Eversdijk’s region 5 reported the success of the 2015 European Conference with approximately 180 people attending. Martin conveyed there is active training throughout the region.

Vice President DeWayne Morris, Region 3 discussed the 2015 Meeting in Fort Worth Texas. DeWayne processed 27 new member applications and requests for promotion.

Vice President Richard Tewes, Region 2, processed 14 new member applications during the year. Richard discussed the 2016 Annual IABPA Conference to be held in Salt Lake City.


Membership Committee Chairman Norm Reeves reported that approximately 150 memberships were processed by the

volunteer membership committee consisting of the Vice Presidents of each region and the Chairman. Gord Lefebre had the most applications to process and it was appreciated that he did that in a timely fashion. There are approximately 800 people in the organization. An online application is now available at the website which helps to enable the VPs to easily read the material on the application. Gord had a lot of input in the process along with Joe Slemko, the Webmaster.

Treasurer’s Report

Secretary/Treasurer Norm Reeves reported that total income and expenses for 2015, as of

September. The net worth of the IABPA is $194,000. An explanation of the meaning of Non Profit as it relates to the IRS classification and the need to in fact make a profit to stay viable as any business as explained. The Dan Rahn and Travel grant were funded this year and two board members travel and lodging were funded to the European Conference in Rome. Funding for two Board members for the Fort Worth conference for transportation and lodging was paid. The Dan Rahn Grant’s participant’s lodging was also paid.

Historian/Publication Committee

Chairman Stuart James discussed the IABPA Journal and the need for articles and photographs for

publication. Older Journals are available on the member’s area of the website. The 2015 Conference abstracts will be published in the December Journal. There will be three issues in 2015 due to the lack of articles submitted for publication.

Education Committee

Chairperson Erin Simms stated the committee has been reviewing all basic and advanced courses

from prior years and current submissions for approval. The committee is trying to compile a list of agencies and instructors doing 40-hour classes. The committee has had some confusion regarding IABPA and SWGSTAIN guidelines. 74 to be evaluated, 46 were evaluated and 16 were not approved for various reasons. 36 courses have been completed and meet requirements. Toby Wolson discussed course content versus instructors. Dan Christman discussed the 16 courses not approved currently but the course was approved previously. Gord Lefebvre discussed holding the applicant until the instructor is contacted and course content is reviewed.

Certification Committee

Chairman Don Schuessler reported that the IABPA agreed to collaborate with IAI and their

certification committee. Our concerns were addressed and IAI indicated they too had identified similar issues and they were being addressed. There have been discussions about a two-tier system of certification. An apprentice level was suggested.

Ethics Committee

Chairman Richard Tewes indicated there have been no complaints. Tewes suggested we must

police ourselves. LeeAnn Singley and Toby Wolson discussed the liabilities of making complaints concerning a member. Ken Martin discussed IAI’s approach to ethical complaints and liabilities and offered advice to the IABPA as a result of their experiences.


Webmaster Report An online registration form was developed and is available. 927 people have registered on the

website. 31 registrations are from other countries. A search is available to members with a demographic function. The election last year was disappointing.

Dan Rahn Grant

Chairperson Lynne Herold discussed there was a belief that the grant had to go to a student and

that is why some did not apply. This is not true, anyone may apply. After a discussion about adjusting the dates for application, she and the board made an adjustment for the 2015 award. A review of the grant’s guidelines will be made to improve the timelines and costs. Brian Yamashita and Kacper Choromanski discussed time zones in the Australian and European regions.

Translation Committee Chairman Philippe Esperanca discussed there was no new translations and is awaiting translations

from Scandinavia. Translators are needed from Arabic and Asian countries. Currently there is only Chinese and Koran.

SWGSTAIN Committee Chairman Jeff Scozzafava indicated that there were no SWG documents to review and that

SWGSTAIN in its current state is being absorbed by government agencies such as NIST. By-Laws Committee - Travel Award Mark Reynolds is evaluating the bylaws. The immediate past president is being eliminated and

tenure for chairs of committees is being addressed. A disconnect between the bylaws and the ethics guidelines is being evaluated. A comprehensive review is being made and it is anticipated that updates may be posted on the website for members to review.

Mark Reynolds also discussed his participation in the Travel Award this year to Prague, 7th

European Forensic Sciences Conference. Out of 75 abstracts only 5 were bloodstain pattern analysis. 4 were from Australia and New Zealand. Mark Reynolds discussed the research of airflow and its effect on blood droplets.

Nominations President Laturnus put forth the Executive Board’s nomination committee recommendations with

encouragement of other nominations being put forth from the members. Jeffery Scozzafava and Ted Silenieks are offered as President. Christina Gonzales VP Region1 Richard Tewes VP Region 2 DeWayne Morris VP Region 3 Gord Lefebvre VP Region 4 Martin Eversdijk VP Region 5 Janette Psaroudis VP Region 6 Norm Reeves Secretary Norm Reeves Treasurer Celestina Rossi Sergeant at Arms Stuart James Historian


Pat Laturnus made a call to the floor for any other nominations to these positions. No addition nominations were made. Johnnie Aycock moved the nominations be closed seconded by Phillippe Esperanca. Motion approved.

Old Business Toby Wolson discussed the Annual IABPA meeting dates and conflicts regarding a Jewish

religious event. A discussion followed regarding meeting dates and conflicts with other events by the membership. LeeAnn Singley discussed regarding feasibility of meetings in Canada. Cost factors were discussed. Andy Gradowski discussed education credits that may not be available at a Canadian conference for US participants.

New Business Grif Griffin inquired regarding the 2017 IABPA annual meeting location. No information was

available at this time. Martin Eversdijk indicated the 2017 European IABPA meeting would be held in Warsaw Poland.

Adjournment: 11:56AM Paul Kish made a motion to close the business meeting. Seconded by Sue Ann Derkach. The

motion was approved.


Michael Taylor Recipient of IAPBA Distinguished Member Award

Dr. Michael Taylor, PhD

Dr. Michael Taylor, Science Leader at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in Christchurch, New Zealand is the 15th recipient of the IABPA Distinguished Member Award. Dr. Taylor has done much to advance the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis discipline through casework, training and research. Michael is a long term member of the IABPA and is committed towards excellence in BPA. He was a member of the SWGSTAIN Research Subcommittee for five years and between 2006 and 2009 he was a member of the Australian National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS) BPA Education and Training Subcommittee. This committee was responsible for drafting and implementing the training levels for the Australian and New Zealand BPA program.

Michael is well known as the co-developer with Mark Jermy of the Fluid Dynamics of Bloodstain Pattern Formation training course which has been taught around the globe and regarded by those who have completed this course as essential in understanding mechanisms that create blood droplets, their flight paths and bloodstain formation. He pioneered the use of high speed photography to critically analyze and understand blood droplets in flight and subsequent bloodstain formation. He has undertaken collaborative research with the likes of Paul Kish, Terry Laber, Bart Epstein and Kevin Winer. He has conducted (and continues to conduct0 research into back spatter formation and has been investigating the influence of contextual bias and the reliability of bloodstain pattern analysis.

In more recent times he has turned to sharing his knowledge, overseeing many Honours and PhD students conducting valuable research into the discipline. He has pioneered BPA education and training in New Zealand, having set up the ESR Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Resource and Learning Centre Website. Michael represents excellence that practitioners in the discipline, in particular Region 6 and New Zealand, aspire to. His work has gone a long way into underpinning the science of bloodstain pattern analysis.


The ANZFSS 23rd ANZFSS International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences

Together InForming Justice

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

Greetings and hello to you all

The 2016 ANZFSS 23rd

International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, 18

th to 23

rd September. This Symposium will bring together practitioners,

experts and students from all forensic science disciplines, law enforcement and the judiciary to explore key aspects of the theme, Together InForming Justice. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis will again feature and as the IABPA Vice President for Region 6, I invite you to attend. It will be another great Symposium, and planning is well underway. In addition to being a world leader in many areas of forensic science and forensic science research, NZ is a top international tourist destination, famous for its natural beauty, indigenous Maori people and diverse Polynesian culture. Most recently, home to Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, NZ is a tourist destination in itself. Take the opportunity to explore, be entranced and fall in love with this beautiful country.

“The Maori warrior is challenging you

On behalf of his people, our people To come to his country, our country

To take up the challenge To accept our hospitality

And to be welcomed On behalf of ANZFSS

The President has accepted the challenge Officially bringing the Symposium to Aotearoa”

Go to the website www.anzfss2016.org to register your interest!

http://www.anzfss2016.org/


Recent BPA Related Articles in the Scientific Literature

Radford, G.E., Taylor, M.C., Kieser, J.A., Waddell, J.N., Walsh, A.J., Schofield, J.C., Das, R., and Chakravorty, E., Simulating Backspatter of Blood from Cranial Gunshot Wounds Using Pig Models. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2015 July, Online.

Petretei, D. and Angyal, M., Recovering Bloody Fingerprints from Skin, Journal of Forensic Identification, 65 (5), 2015

Organizational Notices Moving Soon?

All changes of mailing address need to be supplied to our Secretary Norman Reeves and webmaster Joe

Slemko. E-mail your new address to Secretary Norman Reeves at: [email protected] and to webmaster Joe Slemko at [email protected].

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 2016 please contact Norman Reeves at [email protected]. Also, 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

April 4-8, 2016

Basic Bloodstain Analysis Course

(40 hours – 5 days)

Loci Forensics B.V.

Products – Training – Consulting

Flierveld 59

2151 LE Nieuw-Vennep

The Netherlands

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lociforensics.nl

Fax: +31(0)20-8907749

May 16-20, 2016

Advanced Bloodstain Analysis Course


Loci Forensics B.V.


Flierveld 59


The Netherlands



Fax: +31(0)20-8907749

June 6-10, 2016

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course

(German) Blutspureninstitut

Obergasse 20 61250 Usingen

Germany

Instructor: Dr. Silke Brodbeck, MD

Tel: +49-170-84 84248

Fax: +49-6081-14879


http://www.lociforensics.nl/




June 20-24, 2016

Visualization of Latent Bloodstain Course


Loci Forensics B.V.


Flierveld 59


The Netherlands



Fax: +31(0)20-8907749

June 20-24, 2016

Advanced Pattern Analysis Course

(English) Blutspureninstitut


Germany


Tel: +49-170-84 84248

Fax: +49-6081-14879

September 19-23, 2016




Germany


Tel: +49-170-84 84248

Fax: +49-6081-14879

October 10-14, 2016




Germany


Tel: +49-170-84 84248

Fax: +49-6081-14879




October 24-28, 2016




Germany


Tel: +49-170-84 84248

Fax: +49-6081-14879

November 28-December 2, 2016




Germany


Tel: +49-170-84 84248

Fax: +49-6081-14879

Articles and training announcements for the March 2016 issue of the Journal of Bloodstain

Pattern Analysis must be received before February 15th

, 2016


Editor’s Corner As you can see by the high quality and diversity of the presentations, and workshops given at the

IABPA conference in Fort Worth, Texas that it was an excellent conference. It was well attended and demonstrated the fine effort and preparation of Cele Rossi and DeWayne Morris. The conference abstracts in this issue of the Journal speak for themselves.

A highpoint of the conference for me was the presentation of the Distinguished Member Award to Dr. Michael Taylor. I have always been appreciative of his continued research and contributions to our discipline and he is very deserving of this recognition. I have also enjoyed his conversations throughout the years and have learned a lot from him.

Pat Laturnus will complete his three year tenure as our President at the end of 2015. I commend him for doing a great job guiding the IABPA and being a fine spokesman for the IABPA nationally and internationally.

I encourage the members of our organization to vote online for our next President and Board members for 2016. The deadline for voting is December 31,2015.

Stuart H. James Editor [email protected]



Publication Committee Associate Editors

Barton P. Epstein

Paul E. Kish Daniel Mabel

Jeremy Morris Jon J. Nordby

Joe Slemko Celestina Rossi

Jeffrey Scozzafava T. Paulette Sutton

Past Editors of the IABPA News/Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Anita Y. Wonder 1984-1985

Norman Reeves 1984-1989 David Rimer 1990-1996 Toby L. Wolson 1997-2000 Paul E. Kish 2001-2003 Stuart H. James 2004-present

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 Iris Dalley 2009-2010 Todd A. Thorne 2011-2012

The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. 2015.

The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Editor and Author(s) is prohibited.

journal of bloodstain pattern analysis publications/december 2015 jbpa … · stringing of a...

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