Forensic Interpretation of Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes.pdf

Interpretation of

Bloodstain Evidence

at Crime Scenes

Second Edition

Stuart H. James

James and Associates

Forensic Consultants, Inc.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

William G. Eckert, MD

Forensic Pathologist

Simi Valley, California

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

James, Stuart H.

Interpretation of bloodstain evidence at crime scenes / Stuart H.

James and William G. Eckert. — 2nd ed.

p. cm. — (CRC series in practical aspects of criminal and

forensic investigations)

Rev. ed. of: Interpretation of bloodstain evidence at crime scenes /

William G. Eckert, Stuart H. James. 1993.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-8493-8126-6 (alk. paper)

1. Bloodstains—Analysis. 2. Forensic hematology. I. Eckert,

William G., 1926– . II. Eckert, William G., 1926– .

Interpretation of bloodstain evidence at crime scenes. III. Title.

IV. Series.

RA1061.E26 1998

614′.1—dc21

98-13158

CIP

This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reprinted

material is quoted with permission, and sources are indicated. A wide variety of references are listed.

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No claim to original U.S. Government works

International Standard Book Number 0-8493-8126-6

Library of Congress Card Number 98-13158

Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Printed on acid-free paper

Table of Contents

Preface

Editor’s Note

Acknowledgments

Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern

Interpretation and Properties of Blood

Stuart H. James

General Considerations

Historical Development

Objectives of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation

The Biological Properties of Blood

The Physical Properties of Blood

External Forces that Alter a Blood Source or Drop

Low-Velocity Impact and Angular

Considerations of Bloodstains

Stuart H. James and T. Paulette Sutton

Free-Falling Drops of Blood onto Horizontal Surfaces

Free-Falling Drops of Blood onto Nonhorizontal

Surfaces—Impact Angles

Determination of the Point or Area of Convergence

Determination of the Point or Area of Origin

Angular Impact Produced by Horizontal Motion

Splashed, Projected, and Cast-Off Blood

Other Bloodstain Patterns Associated

with Low-Velocity Force

Medium- and High-Velocity Impact

Blood Spatter

Stuart H. James and T. Paulette Sutton

Bloodstain Patterns Produced by Medium-Velocity Impact

Bloodstain Patterns Produced by High-Velocity Impact

Construction of a Simulated Head for High-Velocity

Blood Spatter Experiments with Firearms

Detection of Blood in the Barrels of Firearms

The Significance of Partially Dried, Clotted,

Aged, and Physically Altered Bloodstains

Stuart H. James

Drying Time of Blood

Clotting of Blood

Blood Diffusion and Drying on Various Types

of Cloth as a Function of Time

The Aging of Bloodstains

Blood Degradation Experiment

Other Alterations of Bloodstains

Medical and Medicolegal Aspects

of Bloodshed at Crime Scenes

William G. Eckert, MD

Age and Muscularity

General Health

Types of Wounds Associated with Blunt-Force Injuries

Types of Wounds Associated with Sharp-Force Injuries

Types of Wounds Associated with Gunshot Injuries

Wound Location and Major Vessel Disruption

Significance of Blood Loss Evidence

Estimation of Blood Volume at the Scene

Conclusion

The Documentation, Collection,

and Evaluation of Bloodstain Evidence

Stuart H. James

General Considerations

Methods for Conducting Crime Scene Searches

Crime Scene Diagrams

Collection and Preservation of Bloodstain Evidence

Examination of Bloodstained Clothing

The Detection of Blood Using Luminol

Dale L. Laux,

Introduction

Discovery

The Luminol Reaction

Preparation of Luminol

Interpretation of Luminescence

Use of Additional Presumptive Tests

Interpretation of Patterns

Effect of Substrates

Collection of Samples

Effects of Luminol on the Subsequent Analysis

of Bloodstains

Photography

Report Writing

Te s t i m o n y

Case Studies

Case Studies in Bloodstain Pattern

Interpretation

Stuart H. James

Gunshot Injuries

Blunt-Force Injuries

Cutting/Stabbing Injuries

Glossary

Appendix 1: Trigonometric Tables

Appendix 2: Precautions for Infectious Diseases:

AIDS and Hepatitis B and C

Henry C. Lee, PhD

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