Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Different Surface Types and at Different Velocities
September 24, 2019
Cedar City, UT
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A new research on bloodstain pattern analysis has been completed by forensic chemistry student Benedetta Garosi during her 2019 spring semester at Southern Utah University. The goal was to determine how bloodstain patterns differed under several circumstances, such as different velocities and different surfaces where the blood can fall onto.
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The study was carried out by using synthetic blood on fabrics and surfaces like white cotton, white wool, foam, synthetic leather, and glass. These materials were kept constant throughout the research. What changed were the velocities at which the patterns were recreated and the tools used to accomplish the patterns. The stains obtained by passive blood drops, recreated with a pipette, are classified as low velocity drops. They are created when the blood source is subjected to a vertical force with a velocity up to 5 ft/sec, and the stains measure >4 mm in diameter. The stains obtained by hitting an object or a surface with a tool, a hammer in this case, are classified as medium velocity drops. They are created when the blood source is subjected to a force with a velocity 5-25 ft/sec and the stains measure 1-4 mm in diameter. The high velocity blood patterns were obtained by shooting a Styrofoam head. They are created when the blood source is subjected to a force with a velocity > 100 ft/sec and the stains measure, on average, < 1mm in diameter.
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More studies, the student says, can be done in the field of bloodstain pattern analysis that can eventually help forensic scientists solve crimes. Also, research using animal blood could help collecting better data and have more realistic measurements.
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The research was one of the requirements the student had to meet in order to graduate. This project was part of what SUU used to call EDGE Program, which consisted of three online classes and one project the student designed from beginning to end. It was an opportunity that gave students the possibility to experience something different than the activities they do in class on a regular basis. However, SUU Policy changed and the EDGE Program is not a graduation requirement anymore.
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Benedett Garosi
benedettagarosi@suumail.net | (435)-238-6258
https://benedettagarosi.wixsite.com/edgeproject
351 West University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720
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