Bloodstain Pattern Analysis continues to appear in major violent crime cases, but courts are increasingly focused on scientific validation, known error rates, and clear articulation of limitations. This webinar is designed to help forensic practitioners and attorneys understand how BPA is evaluated under Daubert, Frye, Kumho Tire, and the amended Rule 702, and what “reliability” really means in practical terms.
Participants will gain a working understanding of current BPA research, how error rates are derived and interpreted, and how those data should shape testimony and case strategy. The emphasis is on defensible methods, transparency, and avoiding overstated or unsupported conclusions.
Topics Covered: • Admissibility Standards for BPA (45 min) Overview of Frye, Daubert, Kumho Tire, and Rule 702, and how courts apply these standards specifically to BPA.
• Scientific Reliability & Error Rates (45 min) Review of major BPA studies, classification error, AOC/AOO deviation, and the impact of contextual bias; linking error rate to reliability.
• Evaluating and Communicating BPA Methodology (45 min) What judges and attorneys expect regarding validated methods, repeatability, documentation, and why “experience alone” is no longer sufficient.
• Defensible Testimony & Courtroom Challenges (45 min) Common lines of cross-examination, examples of problematic claims (e.g., asserted proximity based solely on spatter size), and strategies for presenting BPA findings clearly and accurately.
David Garber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Creighton University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science from Chaminade University, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a Criminal Justice Emphasis from San Diego State University.
