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Preliminary study on the effect of heated surfaces upon bloodstain pattern analysis
Bethany A J Larkin1, Craig E Banks1
1Division of Chemistry and Environmental Science, School of Science and the Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, Lancs, U.K.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|July 20, 2013
Summary
Investigating bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA), this study reveals that elevated surface temperatures (50°C+) cause blood to separate, forming distinct rings. This finding introduces a new factor for interpreting bloodstains in forensic science.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is crucial for reconstructing events at crime scenes.
- Understanding environmental factors influencing bloodstain characteristics is vital for accurate interpretation.
- Previous research has not extensively explored the impact of surface temperature on bloodstain formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying surface temperatures on blood impacting a horizontal steel surface.
- To explore the implications of these temperature-induced changes for bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA).
- To characterize the formation of temperature-induced blood rings and develop a new analytical constant.
Main Methods:
- Performed blood drop tests on a steel surface across a temperature range of 24-250°C.
- Investigated four major boiling regimes: natural convection, nucleate boiling, transition boiling, and film boiling.
- Analyzed bloodstain morphology, including component separation and ring formation, at different impact velocities.
Main Results:
- Blood exhibited component separation at temperatures of 50°C and above.
- Distinct temperature-induced blood rings were observed, including a secondary ring and inner rings.
- A new constant, Cd heated, was developed to quantify the decrease in spread factor at the secondary ring.
Conclusions:
- Surface temperature significantly alters bloodstain characteristics, impacting BPA.
- The formation of temperature-induced blood rings provides new forensic evidence.
- The Cd heated constant offers a novel metric for analyzing heated bloodstains.
