​Instructor: Holly Latham, CBPA      
Course length: 20 hours

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When responding to scenes where blood has been shed, it is essential for investigators to ensure that the patterns formed by bloodstains are preserved and documented.  In cases where the scene will not be visited by a qualified bloodstain pattern analyst, the correct documentation of these bloodstains will permit this type of analysis to be performed later in the investigation.  Improper documentation can lead to instances where no analysis is possible or where such analysis is less meaningful and useful.

This 20-hour Bloodstain Pattern Documentation course is designed for the student who wants to learn how to correctly recognize, document, and collect bloodstains and bloodstain patterns for later analysis by a bloodstain pattern analyst.  Students will be taught terminology, pattern recognition and documentation methods that will ensure the possibility that the patterns can be reconstructed and analyzed at a later date.  Classroom presentations are supplemented with practical exercises and hands-on activities.

By the end of the Bloodstain Pattern Documentation training the student will understand the importance of properly documenting and collecting bloodstained evidence in the context of the overall event reconstruction. This class will be useful to investigators, crime scene personnel involved in documenting and collecting at scenes, and laboratory personnel who test bloodstained evidence.

No prerequisites needed.

Course Objectives

• Understand bloodstain pattern terminology and its application to the scene
• Develop an understanding of the physical characteristics of bloodstain patterns
• Learn how to correctly document and collect bloodstains and bloodstain patterns
  • Avoiding distortion
  • Avoiding incorrect exposures that obscure or remove detail
  • Avoiding insufficient detail and resolution

 Course Content
​

• What is BPA and what can it do for you?
• BPA Terminology
• Pattern Recognition
• Documenting the crime scene and collecting evidence
  • Photography
  • Sketches
  • Note Taking
  • DNA Collection
• Documenting the body and collecting evidence
  • Photography
  • Sketches
  • Note Taking
  • DNA Collection
• Documenting impact patterns
  • Photography
  • Sketches
  • Note Taking

Holly Latham, CBPA

Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degree in Justice Studies from Fort Hays State University, Holly Latham, CBPE, is the Technical Leader for her agency’s Bloodstain Program and is responsible for authoring the BPA Training Manual and SOPs.

Holly is court qualified as an expert in bloodstain pattern analysis and latent print examination. She has instructed classes on bloodstain pattern analysis in fourteen states, Canada, and for the National Forensic Academy (NFA).

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