Blood Spatter Analysis Project

The Blood Spatter Analysis Project will have two parts. Part 1 will be composed of creating an accurate simulated blood. Part 2 will be creating a presentation or poster board containing a variety of blood spatter types. The project is worth a Test Grade and is due November 7, 2016.

Part 1: Simulated Blood (10 points)

Note: Using actual blood (human or animal) for this assignment will result in you receiving a zero.

You must create an accurate simulated blood. There are a variety of simulated blood recipes online that you may try and adapt as needed. Your simulated blood should have the following characteristics (2 points each):

  1. Must be red
  2. While in the air, it should form a sphere
  3. When it spatters, spines and satellites should be created
  4. When spattered at an angle, drops should become more oval
  5. Should maintain color when it lands on a white surface

Remember, it is very easy to make your blood too thick or too thin. You will be asked to demonstrate your blood to me in class.

Part 2: Blood Spatter Patterns (30 points)

You will be creating a poster board or presentation board with blood spatter patterns you created using your simulated blood. Your poster must contain pictures of the following 9 types of blood spatter patterns. All photographs must be taken according to proper forensic procedures. In each picture, you must have an evidence number visible and an L-shaped ruler (can be made by taping 2 rulers together) to show scale. Pictures must be taken from 90° angles. Pictures may be no bigger than 4 in x 6 in. All pictures must fit on the presentation/poster board.

Show and label the following types of blood spatter:

  1. Medium Velocity
  2. High Velocity
  3. Contact deposit
  4. Wipe
  5. Swipe
  6. Arterial Spurt Pattern
  7. Cast-off pattern
  8. Running/Walking Pattern

On the poster, the samples of patterns must be labeled and described/defined. All labels and descriptions must be typed. You must find the Angle of Incidence for the Medium Velocity pattern using a minimum 5 blood droplets. Show the work directly on your poster for finding the Angle of Incidence (this may be NEATLY handwritten.)