Thesis
Bloodstain pattern analysis: investigating the effectiveness of small (sub 3mm) bloodstains in area of origin determinations
Masters by Coursework, Murdoch University
2016
Abstract
The use of bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) in reconstruction of bloodletting events has become a critical and integral part of many criminal investigations and court cases. In instances where a bloodstain pattern is created due to external forces being applied to a source of blood, an impact spatter pattern is created. Traditionally, BPA analysts have followed a rigid protocol for selection of bloodstains used in these reconstruction events in attempts to lessen sources of error that directly impact area of convergence (AOC) and area of origin (AOO) calculations. One such selection criteria is bloodstain size; bloodstains that have a length (l) between 3mm and 8mm are considered useful for reconstruction determinations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of small (l<3mm) bloodstains in AOO determinations in comparison to the accepted industry standard and identify the involvement of impact angles in these calculations. Bloodstain impact angles and AOO calculations were conducted using the Microsoft® Office Excel 2003 Auto Shape program and tangent method respectively. Bloodstain size was found to have no impact on X (p-value=0.906), Y (p-value=0.262) and Z (p-value=0.688) co-ordinates for AOO determinations and decreasing angles of impact showed no correlation to deviation from the actual AOO.
Details
- Title
- Bloodstain pattern analysis: investigating the effectiveness of small (sub 3mm) bloodstains in area of origin determinations
- Authors/Creators
- Brinda Salaskar
- Contributors
- James Speers (Supervisor)Brendan Chapman (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Coursework
- Identifiers
- 991005544553607891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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