Global experts in blood pattern analysis gather for conference
Scientists from around the world arrived in Holland recently to learn more about the latest techniques and case studies involving blood pattern analysis. The event, organised by the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, was held for the first time outside America; delegates from the FSS gave Police Professional their verdict on the conference.
Scientists from around the world arrived in Holland recently to learn more about the latest techniques and case studies involving blood pattern analysis. The event, organised by the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, was held for the first time outside America; delegates from the FSS gave Police Professional their verdict on the conference.
Scientists who specialise in the field of blood pattern analysis recently joined forces to share their techniques and experiences at the first conference of its kind, held in Holland.
The conference attracted a record number of delegates, with 140 scientists from across the globe attending the event to discuss experiences and recent cases, as well as to develop contacts.
The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA) was set up in 1983 to promote education and research in the field of bloodstain pattern analysis.
Until now the IABPA conferences have always been held in the USA, making it difficult for some delegates to attend. This year Peter Lamb, senior forensic scientist at the Forensic Science Service (FSS) worked in collaboration with the Zeeland Police in Holland to bring the conference to Europe, making it more accessible for European scientists.
The event was held over two days in Middleburg Holland and included talks on new software for three dimensional blood pattern analysis, computer aided design methods, discussions on Luminol and new methods related to firearms.
The conference is to promote the study of Blood Pattern Analysis, said Mr Lamb. The IABPA is governed essentially by the Americans and Canadians most of the membership is there. However, there is a growing number of European members and although we have our own region and vice-president, Leif Peterson, there have been no conferences here so we wanted to set up a network of practitioners in Europe.
Blood pattern analysis can be an important factor in the investigation of serious violent crimes, which have resulted in bloodshed. Bloodstains and bloodstain patterns may be deposited on various surfaces, including the clothing of those there at the scene, when blood is acted upon by physical forces. These patterns can provide valuable information about the events that lead to their creation and the information can be used to reconstruct the incident and to evaluate the statements of witnesses and suspects.
Alexei Pace, an independent expert for the Maltese Courts of Justice, spoke at the conference about the three-dimensional modelling of blood spatter trajectories.
In traditional computerised bloodstain pattern analysis, manual stringing is replaced by virtual strings and two-dimensional views of the spatter trajectories are obtained. Pace takes this a stage further by reconstructing a three-dimensional model of the bloodstain trajectory using computer aided design (CAD) software.
The same mathematical and physical concepts are used to calculate both the horizontal co-ordinates and an upper limit for the vertical position of the blood source. This not only allows an accurate estimate of the blood source location to be calculated, it also enables production of three-dimensional rendered views of the crime scene, which can be easily understood by anyone, even if they are not familiar with the crime scene.
Another significant development discussed at the conference was a new method to recover blood from inside the barrel of a gun. The technique, developed in Holland, uses a new casting material to inject into the barrel. When set, it is possible to pull this out along with the blood. It is then possible to chart where the blood is and what it looks like, as well as testing the DNA of the blood.
Delegates from the Forensic Science Services eleven facilities across the UK attended the event. Sarah Collier, an FSS reporting officer specialising in blood pattern analysis, said: There were lots of very good, high calibre talks. The conference has provided me with a better awareness and I will be able to weigh up the pros and cons