Instructors:
Heidi Sievers, Ph.D., CBPA, CCSI & Austin Sievers
Course length: 40 hours
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This Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course is designed for beginner investigators or for those who have not yet had bloodstain pattern analysis training or exposure to bloodstained crime scenes.
Students will learn how to correctly identify bloodstains both based on appearance as well as pattern mechanism. The course contains theory and principles of bloodstain pattern analysis as well as practical activities, mock scenes, and evidence. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
DAY 1 Students will learn the fundamentals and composition of blood, principles and theories, proper terminology, and bloodstain characteristics based on variables of height, angle variance, and surface. Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on practical exercises. DAY 2 Students will have the opportunity to build upon what they learned on day 1 by recognizing various bloodstains of spatter, passive, and altered characteristics. Students will go beyond examining visual characteristics and will begin measuring stains and engaging in basic bloodstain mathematical calculations. DAY 3 Students will be introduced to documentation methods of individual bloodstains as well as bloodstain patterns. Students will photograph stains using proper equipment and methods. DAY 4 Students will focus on the search, identification, and enhancement of bloodstains on a crime scene and items of evidence. Students will be exposed to various chemical enhancement techniques and begin analyzing and documenting bloodstains on fabrics and textiles. Students will also be tasked with photographing their results from chemical enhancement. Students will be introduced to the basics of bloodstain report writing and courtroom testimony. DAY 5 Students will review concepts discussed throughout the week and have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a practical setting. Students will be provided a scene scenario with multiple bloodstains. Students will calculate area of convergence and origin, and fully document the bloodstained scene. They will then compile a rough draft of report for review. *It is recommended that students have previously completed a basic crime scene processing workshop course or have experience in the field. **Students will need to bring the following equipment, if possible:
Scales and manual calipers will be provided. Please bring a digital caliper, if you wish. This course has been approved for 40 hours of certification/recertification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification & Bloodstain Pattern Certification Boards. |
Holding a PhD in Criminology and a Master’s Degree in Forensics and Criminal Justice. She is an International Association for Identification Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst (CBPA) and Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI). She owns Sievers Forensics, which specializes in bloodstain pattern analysis training, case consultation, and research. Sievers Forensics has assisted local and state law enforcement agencies, such as Sheriff’s Offices, Medical Examiner’s Office, and Florida Highway Patrol, in both case review and training courses. 
Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Science. Currently, he serves as a trainer and consultant with Sievers Forensics, which focuses on forensic case and evidence review, as well as, providing forensic training to both academic institutions as well as law enforcement agencies. Sievers is a former certified law enforcement officer through the State of Florida previously serving Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Prior to being assigned to patrol, he was a forensic investigator with the same agency. Given his unique experience of forensics prior to certified law enforcement, he provided forensic processing training to a number of deputies both within his squad as well as the agency overall. |