Instructor: Anna Cox, MFS
Course length: 40 hours

This course is designed to advance the students’ fundamental knowledge in the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis and to illustrate the scientific principles and practical applications of bloodstain pattern analysis to casework. The course is designed for crime scene technicians who respond to crime scenes on a regular basis and have successfully completed a 40-hour lab based Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course. The course will reinforce and expand the students’ knowledge through lectures that discuss advanced topics and concepts of the bloodstain pattern analysis process. The students will also complete advanced laboratory exercises including actual case file reviews. Successful completion of this course will provide a strong foundation for the students to continue bloodstain pattern training and prepare them for a mentorship program.

Objectives 
  • Understand the advancements in bloodstain pattern analysis and the standards and guidelines put forth by governing bodies
  • Develop a strong comprehension of physics and mathematics and their application in the analysis process
  • Reinforce the understanding of the physical characteristics of bloodstains and patterns and the actions that cause blood distribution
  • Gain an understanding of how bloodstain pattern analysis can assist in an investigation
  • Gain an understanding of how to differentiate spatter from transfer on clothing using microscopes
  • Understand various documentation techniques and learn how to select the process that will best support your analysis
  • Introduce the student to various criminal proceedings where expert testimony is often requested
  • Apply skills to analyze complex bloodstains and patterns within a mock scene and in case file reviews
  • Gain an understanding of the advanced concepts of chemistry involved in enhancement of bloodstains and patterns
  • Understand contextual bias and its causes
  • Proper report writing techniques
  • Development of a professional curriculum vitae

ADVANCEMENTS IN BLOOSTAIN PATTERN ANALYSIS: The governing body of the discipline of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis will be discussed and the standards and guidelines determined by the governing body will be introduced. The student will learn about previous and current challenges to the validity of BPA and how to overcome the challenges.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BLOOD: The physics of fluid dynamics will be discussed. The student will learn why the principals of physics strongly influence stain selection for area of origin.

TERMINOLOGY AS DEFINED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE STANDARDS: The various types of and the distribution mechanisms causing passive, transfer, spatter, projection, and cast-off bloodstains will be reintroduced. Examples will be presented.

ALTERED BLOODSTAINS AND PATTERNS: The various types of and the actions causing alterations to pre-existing bloodstains and patterns will be discussed. Examples will be presented.

BLOODSTAIN PATTERN ANALYIS AND THE INVESTIGATION: The relevance of the analysis throughout the criminal investigation will be discussed. Both the probative value of an analysis and the limitations of an analysis will be considered.

ANGLE OF IMPACT, AREA OF CONVERGENCE, AND AREA OF ORIGIN: The mathematics of bloodstain pattern analysis will be applied. The physical process of stain selection and measurement techniques will be demonstrated.

SPATER VS TRANSFER: The process of differentiating spatter from transfer on textiles will be introduced. Equipment such as magnifying tools and microscopes will be discussed. Examples will be presented.

UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENCE OF CHEMISTRY - PRESUMPTIVE TESTING AND CHEMICAL ENHANCEMENT: The process of understanding how a chemical works and when one chemical over another may yield better results will be discussed. The importance of understanding the surface and/or textile the blood pattern is on and how that affects chemical selection will be addressed.

DOCUMENTATION OF BLOODSTAINS AND PATTERNS:  Proper documentation of bloodstains and patterns will be discussed. Scale selection and techniques for differentiating multiple stains and patterns will be demonstrated. Documentation processes often overlooked will also be addressed.

CONTEXTUAL BIAS: Discussion of what contextual bias is and what can cause it will be presented.

TESTIMONY: All the criminal proceedings and hearings where an expert can render an opinion will be discussed. The difference in “audience” will be introduced and testimony techniques targeting each type of “audience” will be presented.

APPROACHING THE BLOODSTAIN PATTERN CASE: Discussion of files necessary for a  proper analysis will be presented. Avoiding contextual bias and the proper application of the scientific method will be reviewed. The use of proper terminology in the technical portion of a report will be reviewed. Extrapolating the technical portion as the scientific foundation for conclusions will be presented.

DEVELOPING A CURRICULUM VITAE: The necessary components of a professional CV will be discussed. Examples of misconduct and misrepresentations of credentials will be examined.

Multiple case studies, worked by the instructor, will be shown to emphasize and illustrate the concepts discussed during lectures

Student comprehension is graded through written examination and through a graded (pass or fail) practical assignment.  The minimum passing score for the exam is 70%.
Anna Cox, MFS
Anna M. Cox has worked in the field of forensics for over 25 years. She began her career as a volunteer autopsy technician for the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office in January of 2000. In July of 2000, Anna was hired by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Section as a Forensic Science Specialist. She began her bloodstain pattern training in June 2001. Prior to leaving the sheriff’s office in June 2013 to begin consulting and providing training, Anna was a member of the Major Case Response Team and the primary bloodstain pattern analyst at the sheriff’s office. She was often requested by other agencies in Florida to perform bloodstain pattern documentation and analysis under mutual aid. Anna also specializes in chemical enhancement of latent and blood patterns.

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