A Weight Dropping Device to Reliably Reproduce High Velocity Impact Spatter Patterns and Impact Energy Factors In Their Production
Open AccessThe field of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) lacks an instrument that is capable of producing reliable and reproducible high velocity impact spatter patterns. Uncertainties related to differentiation of mechanisms producing impact spatter patterns with small bloodstains impair the field. Thus, Scientific Working Group on Bloodstains Pattern Analysis (SWGSTAIN) appreciates this need and urges research investigations (SWGSTAIN, 2011, p.1). Besides SWGSTAIN, National Academy of Sciences in its 2009 report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, criticizes the BPA discipline and states that "uncertainties associated with bloodstain patterns are enormous" (National Academy of Science, 2009, p. 179). In that context, this study aims to dispel the uncertainties related to BPA as to the impact patterns with small bloodstains. In order to achieve that goal, a weight dropping device, which allows analysts to manipulate the impact energy, is built. The reliability of the apparatus and its capability to reproduce high velocity impact spatter patterns are analyzed by statistical analysis in Microsoft Excel based on the distribution of bloodstain diameter, bloodstain count, average bloodstain diameter, and the percentage of the small bloodstains. Subsequently, impact spatter patterns that are produced with a variety of impact energies are compared to each other based on the above criteria.
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