Calculating point of origin of blood spatter using laser scanning technology
1Forensic Science Department, Terence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex, University of Toronto, 3359 Missisauga Rd., Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 1C6; AI2-3D, 352 Via Carmine Avenue, Woodbridge, ON, Canada L4H 2N8.
Abstract:
The point of origin of an impact pattern is important in establishing the chain of events in a bloodletting incident. In this study, the accuracy and reproducibility of the point of origin estimation using the FARO Scene software with the FARO Focus(3D) laser scanner was determined. Five impact patterns were created for each of three combinations of distances from the floor (z) and the front wall (x). Fifteen spatters were created using a custom impact rig, scanned using the laser scanner, photographed using a DSLR camera, and processed using the Scene software. Overall results gave a SD = 3.49 cm (p < 0.0001) in the x-direction, SD = 1.14 cm (p = 0.9291) in the y-direction, and SD = 9.08 cm (p < 0.0115) in the z-direction. The technique performs within literature ranges of accepted accuracy and reproducibility and is comparable to results reported for other virtual stringing software.
