​Instructors: Sharon Plotkin, MS, CCSI,
Course length:  24 hours

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Enhancing and Detecting Blood Evidence on Crime Scenes

Crime scene personnel should always be able to perform the most effective techniques when locating evidence that may help in the criminal investigation. To do this, the use of presumptive chemical tests and alternate light sources are important components of successful crime scene work. While some blood evidence may be easily visualized, sometimes this type of evidence is not.  

The purpose of this three-day Enhancing and Detecting Blood Evidence on Crime Scenes workshop is to introduce attendees to the different chemicals used to enhance bloodstains and patterns that are visible on crime scenes and evidence and also to detect blood that is unseen because the amount of blood is too small or because the blood has been removed in a cleaning of the scene. The use of chemical presumptive tests to determine if blood is present and if the detected blood is of a human or a nonhuman source will also be introduced.

Photographing chemical reactions to bloodstains and the use of infrared photography is also important and will be addressed in this workshop.

This workshop will be taught by a certified crime scene expert.

Objective:
The objective is to introduce attendees to the proper use of various chemicals for blood evidence on crime scenes both visible and invisible. Introduction of various substrates and surfaces while utilizing the most effective techniques and chemical use with photographic skills will be a vital component of the workshop.
Attendees will utilize chemicals such as Amido Black, Coomassie Blue, Leucocrystal Violet, Bluestar, Phenolphthalein and OBTI in locating blood evidence, and others.
This workshop will utilize power point lectures and many hands-on practicums in meeting all objectives.

Schedule:

Day One (8 hours)

Lectures/ power points

• Differences in Enhancement and detection
• Alternate light source use
• Day One (continues)
• Photography

Hands on practicum:

• Alternate light source use
• Photography

 
Day Two  (8 hours)
​
Lectures: enhancement techniques and presumptive testing
Hands on practicum:

• Phenolphthalein tests
• OBTI tests
• Enhancement chemicals
  • Amido Black
  • Coomassie Blue
  • Leucocrystal Violet
  • Hungarian Red (Acid Fuchsin)

 
Day Three  (8 hours)

Lectures: Use of chemicals and alternate light sources to enhance and detect blood evidence
Hands on practicum:

• Detection of blood evidence with Bluestar
• Alternate light source
  • Acid Yellow 7
  • Acid Violet 17
  • Merbromin
• Infrared photography
• Mock crime scene practicum

This course has been approved for 24 hours of certification/recertification training credit by the IAI Bloodstain Certification & Crime Scene Certification Boards. 

Sharon Plotkin, MS, CCSI

Holding Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, and an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology, Sharon Plotkin is currently seeking a doctoral degree in education.

Sharon has received specialized training in various fields of crime scene investigations, including bloodstain reconstruction, photography, crime scene reconstruction, fingerprinting, shoe wear casting and other various topics. She is certified in crime scene investigations and has been doing crime scene work for almost 21 years.

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