​Instructor: Amy Santoro, MFS, CBPA, CSCSA     
Course length:  40 hours

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In this 40-hour class, students will explore intermediate and advanced concepts in
bloodstain pattern analysis, and build upon concepts introduced in a basic bloodstain
pattern analysis pattern analysis course. Students must have completed a 40-hour basic
bloodstain pattern analysis course to enroll.

*Students should bring a camera and a laptop to class if possible*

Course objectives:
​

• Understand BPA standards and gain an understanding of the standard development process
• Gain a basic understanding of the mathematics of BPA and the different techniques to reconstruct impact patterns
• Gain a basic understanding of the existing standards applicable to bloodstain pattern analysis (USA based standards)
• Understand how to apply a methodology to classify bloodstain patterns
• Gain a basic understanding of bloodstain patterns on fabric surfaces and the challenges of classifying bloodstains on clothing
• Understand how to collect case documentation, build a case file, and author a bloodstain pattern report
• Apply skills to analyze a mock crime scene and mock evidence, build a case report, and author a report

Day 1

• Course Introduction
• Review of ASB terminology
  • Term by term refresher
• Review of bloodstain pattern Characteristics
  • Size, Shape, Distribution, Location, Appearance criteria per pattern
• Standards in BPA:
  • SWGSTAIN
  • OSAC/ASB
  • OSAC/ASB structure and process
  • Documents on the registry
• Forward and Backspatter
  • Mechanism
  • Laboratory review of items via microscope
• Forward and Backspatter (Live fire range exercise)
• Forward and Backspatter (lab exercises with airsoft pistol)
  • Microscope review of firearms

Day 2

• Impact Pattern review
• Area of convergence and area of origin review
• Area of origin via stringing
  • Practical practice
• Area of origin via tangent method
  • Practical practice
  • Comparison of results stringing vs tangent method
• Area of origin via computer modeling
  • Practical practice with hemospat
• Limiting angles lecture

Day 3

• Bloodstains on Fabrics
  • Case review
    • David Camm case
  • Fabrics overview
    • Knit v weave
    • Variables with treatment, washing, dyes, material, etc.
    • Denier number
• Classifying bloodstain pattens on fabrics
  • Spatter vs transfer
  • Microscopic examination
  • Hands on practice
    • Varying fabrics
    • Drips, spatter, transfer
  • Mock evidence examination
  • Making patterns wearing clothing (over Tyvek)

Day 4

• Classification review
  • Introduction of ACE-V for BPA
• Classification exercise
• Mock crime scenes
  • Roadmap
  • Presumptive test
  • Document
  • Classify bloodstain patterns
  • Consider evaluation of evidence

Day 5

• Correlation of evidence and report writing
• Write reports for final crime scenes
• Group presentations to class/mini mock testimony

Amy Santoro, MFS, CBPA, CSCSA  

Holding ​a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensics and a Master of Science in Forensic Science,  Amy Santoro is recognized by the International Association for Identification as a Certified Crime Scene Analyst. ​ 

Amy enjoys teaching and has taught courses in crime scene investigation and forensic photography to law enforcement and forensic practitioners. She is also an adjunct university professor, teaching  undergraduate classes in forensic biology and general forensic science.

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