Bloodstain Pattern Analysis for the Laboratory ScientistJuly 8-10, 2009
Brian Gestring, M.S., Forensic Science Program, Cedar Crest College
Peter Pizzola, Ph.D., Director,
New York City Police Department Laboratory
Over the past 25 years, the individualization of biological evidence has improved dramatically. Forensic DNA testing has literally transformed forensic science. As useful as forensic DNA testing has become, it is not a panacea. A blood sample collected from a pool under the copiously bleeding victim will most likely be from that victim.
Since all of the bloodstains on a case are not usually tested, understanding the basic mechanisms of bloodstain pattern formation are necessary to adequately sample evidence for DNA testing. Also there can be times when understanding basic bloodstain patterns can provide more information than the subsequent DNA analysis. A good example of this is when a suspect claims that they received the victim’s blood on their clothing after the suspect attempted to help them. This issue cannot be resolved with DNA. The suspect has already admitted that it was the victim’s blood. In this case the pattern produced by the blood can be more useful than the knowledge of whose blood it is.
The information provided from bloodstain patterns have been used in criminal investigations and court rooms since the late 1800s, but the rapid growth of Forensic DNA analysis has blinded modern analysts to the power of this basic pattern evidence. This workshop will provide the forensic scientist with valuable information that will help them recognize and document significant bloodstain patterns encountered in forensic casework.
Registration Fee: $300.00
NEAFS Members Registration Only: January 19, 2009 - March 9, 2009
Full Registration: March 10, 2009 - June 24, 2009
Maximum Number of Registrants: 16 THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL