March 2011 Jbpa

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BASIC BODY TISSUES:
blood
connective tissue
epithelium
nerve tissue
muscle
bone
cartilage
EXPANDING YOUR UNDERSTANDING:
how to recognize the tissues macroscopically
and microscopically
exploring some structural relationships among
tissues, other structures, organs and systems
how to collect and preserve different tissue,
structure and organ types
MULTI-INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
lecture
group viewing macro- and micro-
individual hands-on exercises
YOUR OPINION
REPLY NOW !!!
WHAT FORMAT BEST SUITS YOUR INTEREST IN THE TOPICS ?
LDHEROLD@LASD.ORG
THE FORMAT OF THIS LECTURE & WORKSHOP IS:
2-3 hours lecture/group viewing at general session
4 hour optional workshop exercises, very limited capacity
OTHER FORMAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON
GENERAL INTEREST AND ABILITY TO MEET LOGISTICS.
all lecture/general viewing, no hands-on workshop
all lecture/workshop to limited capacity group, all day
other format ideas/preferences you may have
PRESENTATION BY LYNNE D. HEROLD, PH.D., BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT,
SCIENTIFIC SERVICES BUREAU/TRACE SECTION
LECTURE/WORKSHOP TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP BY

Table of Contents

IABPA 2011 Officers 1
Presidents Message 2
Newly Elected 2011 IAPBA Officers 3
IABPA Committee Appointments for 2011 12
Committee Reports for March 2011 16
Why Might the IABPA Need a New Code of Ethics?
Carolyn Gannett 19
IABPA Code of Ethics Draft
Carolyn Gannett 22
Visualizing Bloodstain Patterns on Dark or Multi-colored,
Multi-designed Clothing Using Luminol and
Adobe Photoshop Layers
Tom Hill 29
Dan Rahn Memorial Grant Award Recipient for 2011 34
Evaluation of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope
For Use in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Daniel E. Mabel and Stuart H. James 35
IABPA Annual Training Conference for 2011 41
Update on BPA Activities in Turkey 43
SWGSTAIN Update 44
Abstracts of Recent Articles in the Scientific Literature 45
Organizational Notices 46
Training Opportunities 47
Editors Corner 52
Past Presidents of the IABPA 53
Publication Committee Associate Editors 53

Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 1 Vol. 27, No.1. March 2011

2011 IABPA Officers

PRESIDENT
Todd A. Thorne
tat323@kenoshapolice.com

Vice President, Region I Vice President, Region II
John Amish Leah Innocci
john.amish@state.or.us linnoc@dci.wyo.gov

Vice President, Region III Vice President, Region IV
Rex T. Sparks Jeffrey Scozzafava
rtsparks@dmgov.org jscozz@hotmail.com

Vice President, Region V Vice President, Region VI
Peter Lamb Brett McCance
peterlamb@fss.pnn.police.uk. brett.mccance@police.wa.gov.au

Secretary / Treasurer Sergeant at Arms
Norman Reeves Anthony Mangione
norman@bloody1.com anthonymangione@aol.com

Immediate Past President Historian
Iris Dalley Stuart H. James
scsairis@hotmail.com jamesforen@aol.com


Presidents Message

I hope this finds each and every one of you well. I must say that, here in Wisconsin, we are
keeping very warm basking in the glory of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl victory!! I would
like to start by thanking each one of you for your continued support of the IABPA. Without our
members, this great organization would not be what it is today. We will continue to move
forward with keeping our members educated regarding our discipline. As we press forward into
2011, let me bring you up to date with what your Board has been doing to serve you since
January 1, 2011.
As you can clearly see by the looks of the new IABPA publication, we have been very busy
working hard to raise the bar of the IABPA. We now have a journal! It will be up to ALL OF
US to see that we fulfill the expectations of the contents. Please submit your contributions to
Editor Stuart James. Thank you to the entire Publication Committee and to those of you whom
Stuart consulted for your hard work in getting our journal designed and off the ground
effectively.
You will also notice the committees have been appointed and listed within the pages of our
journal. There have been topics that have been on the table for some time--topics that need to be
resolved. These committees will be working hard to ensure that this is done. Should any of you
have questions, concerns, or ideas, please contact your regional Vice President. If you prefer feel
free to contact me directly. I would love to hear your ideas.
Our Bylaws Committee, led by Carolyn Gannett, is working very hard to rewrite our Bylaws,
as well as the ethics code, to strengthen the validity of what the IABPA is all about: integrity in
reporting the truth.
The Internet Committee is gearing up to see what options we may have for a new Web page.
We are also looking at implementing an IABPA awards program. The Certification Research
Committee will be reporting suggestions on how to structure and implement BPA certification
testing. There is so much going on and so much more to do. Wont you all join me in
contributing to our organization? It will become what we make it!

Respectfully,

Todd A. Thorne


Newly Elected 2011 IABPA Officers

Todd A. Thorne works in both the law enforcement and private communities. Todd is well
versed in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Forensic Photography, Evidence Processing Techniques
as well as Crime Scene Reconstruction. He is also a Latent Fingerprint Examiner. Todd has a
variety of published articles and photographs in these disciplines. Todd has been working in the
field of criminalistics for over 25 years and continually offers expert testimony/consultation. He
is a certified State of Wisconsin and Illinois Instructor. Todd is a sought after speaker and is an
adjunct instructor in the area of Forensic Science for several colleges throughout the country. In
addition, he has served on Wisconsin's Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Evidence Training
Team. Todd has been a member of the Federal Government's U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, serving with the DMORT V Disaster Response Unit. He operates Todd A. Thorne &
Associates Forensic Consultants and Photography Services, LLC, which has exposed him to both
national and international cases.
Todd instructs throughout the country for The Lynn Peavey Company and has been called
upon for technical consultation/research by various entities. Todd has served the Wisconsin
Association for Identification as President, Chairman of the Board and has chaired numerous
committees, The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis as Region 3 Vice
President, Associate Editor and The Kenosha Professional Police Association as the secretary.
Todd's hobbies include family activities, church activities, camping and photography. He is
married with 5 children.

PRESIDENT

Todd A. Thorne
Kenosha Police Department
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Criminalist III John Amish received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and
Microbiology from Northern Arizona University in 1977. He then attended a Medical
Technology Internship program in Ventura California and became a licensed Medical
Technologist in 1979. In 1983 he attended the Oregon State Police Academy and upon
graduation began his Forensic career in the Medford, Oregon Crime Laboratory in 1984.
Criminalist Amish became a bloodstain pattern analyst in 1985 receiving training from Oregon
State Police Lieutenants Gary Knowles and Jim Pex and has attended Ross Gardners advanced
bloodstain pattern analysis course.
Additional current forensic duties include chemistry, firearms examination, crime scene
processing and reconstruction. He is the current core group leader in crime scene analysis.
Criminalist Amish is a current member in three Forensic Organizations including the IABPA,
ACSR, and NWAFS.

VICE PRESIDENT REGION I

John Amish


When I took my 40-hour basic course in the summer of 2007, I was hooked. It was taught by
Mike Van Stratton. I remember how enthused he was about his work and about teaching
bloodstain pattern analysis. I took an advanced class with Tom Bevel later that year. Again, the
passion shown by Tom and the other students make a great impression on me.
In October of 2007 I attended my first IABPA conference in San Antonio, Texas. I have tried to
bring the professionalism and dedication I learned there to my job at the Wyoming State Crime
Lab.
I continued to learn, perform experiments, and to take classes. In 2009 I was honored to
become the vice-president for the Rocky Mountain Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. I
have served as President of this exceptional organization since 2010. In 2010 I finished writing a
training program and a quality assurance program for the Wyoming State Crime Lab. I will start
training another analyst later this year: her commitment to bloodstain pattern analysis is a great
as mine.
In addition to bloodstain pattern analysis, I work as a latent print examiner and a crime scene
investigator for the state. I am also a part-time deputy coroner/investigator for Laramie County.
Serving as a Vice-President, Region II for IABPA is a real pleasure for me. In some small way, I
hope to advance the practice that I have come to love.

VICE PRESIDENT - REGION II

Leah Innocci
Wyoming State Crime Laboratory
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Rex T. Sparks has a thirty seven year career in forensic science and crime scene processing
that began with the Story County, Iowa Sheriffs Department. He is currently an Identification
Technician with the Des Moines, Iowa Police Department as well as a private forensic consultant
and also instructs forensic courses. He has a total of over 1800 hours of training in forensic
disciplines including bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene and shooting reconstruction,
photography and advanced crime scene technology. Mr. Sparks has completed basic/advanced
bloodstain pattern analysis courses at Northwestern University in Chicago, Corning, NY,
Lincoln, Nebraska and Des Moines, Iowa. He has attended numerous IABPA Annual Training
Conferences including the International IABPA Conference in Middelburg, Zeeland, the
Netherlands. He is a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

VICE PRESIDENT - REGION III

Rex T. Sparks
Des Moines Police Department
Des Moines, Iowa


Jeff Scozzafava is a Detective in the Forensic Investigations Unit of the Somerset County
Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey. His primary function is crime scene investigation. Jeff is
also a member of the County Prosecutor's Office Dive-Rescue Team, is a Team Leader of the
Arson Task Force and is member of the NJ Division of Criminal Justice Police Shooting
Response Team. Jeff routinely teaches various forensic topics to Somerset County law
enforcement agencies, arson investigation techniques for the NJ Division of Criminal Justice's
biannual Arson Investigator's Course, forensic science for Centenary College of NJ and Raritan
Valley College and has taught crime scene investigation techniques overseas for the United
States Department of Justice. Jeff is a retired New Jersey State Trooper who was assigned as a
Detective in the Crime Scene Investigation Unit for the majority of his State Police career. Jeff
has been recognized as an expert witness in Federal and State courts regarding crime scene
investigation/reconstruction, fingerprint identification and bloodstain pattern analysis. Jeff has
been an active member of the IABPA, attending every conference since becoming a member in
2001. At previous IABPA conferences, Jeff has presented BPA case studies during the general
session and has instructed workshops regarding courtroom testimony techniques and infra red
photography. Before being elected as Vice President of Region IV, Jeff served as Sgt. at Arms
from 2009-2010.

VICE PRESIDENT REGION IV

Jeff Scozzafava
Somerset County Prosecutors Office
Somerville, New Jersey

Peter Lamb started his career in 1970 at the Nottingham Forensic Science Laboratory of the
UK as an assistant. He completed his basic qualifications (whilst working full-time) at the local
University to become a Member of the Institute of Biology and a case Reporting Scientist. He
has spent over 30 years going to scenes of major and critical incidents and investigating serious
crime in the lab. He was Hon. Secretary of the Forensic Science Society for three years and
meetings co-coordinator for three years. He has received Chief Constables commendations for
his work on major incidents and was elected as Fellow of the Institute of Biology for work in
Science and Education and also Fellow of the Forensic Science Society for his contribution to
the investigation of serious crime. He was manager of teams investigating serious crime for 10
years before spending 4 years as National Scientific Lead for hair examinations then becoming
one of six Major and Critical Incident Investigators in the UK. He has appeared on TV many
times, but insists that he has the face for radio.
He chairs the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) hairs committee, is a
BPA trainer and has worked on many high profile cases in the UK and overseas, giving expert
testimony in several countries, but most of all he is proud to say that he is the Vice-President of
the IABPA for Europe.

VICE PRESIDENT REGION V

Peter Lamb
Forensic Science Service
Huntingdon, Cambs, UK


Senior Constable Brett McCance graduated from the Western Australia Police Academy in
1996 and has over five years of general duties policing experience at metropolitan Police
stations. Since 2001 Senior Constable McCance has been attached to the Western Australia
Police Forensic Division as a Forensic Investigation Officer. His forensic duties have involved
attendance at scenes of both volume and major crime.
Senior Constable McCance commenced his training as a bloodstain pattern analyst in 2004
undertaking an internal two year specialist development program. Senior Constable McCance
has since delivered and coordinated internal training courses for the Western Australia Police
Forensic Division and national training courses for policing and laboratory jurisdictions within
Australia.
In 2006, Senior Constable McCance became a member of a national steering committee to
standardize the education and training of bloodstain analysts within Australia and New Zealand
and registered a discipline specific curriculum for bloodstain pattern analysis with the Curtin
University of Technology. In 2010, Senior Constable McCance became a member of
SWGSTAIN sitting on the Quality and Assurance sub-committee.
Senior Constable McCance is currently undertaking studies towards a Bachelor of Science in
Crime Scene Investigation. Senior Constable McCance was the Forensic Division discipline
manager for bloodstain pattern analysis for two years and is still active in scene attendance and
case work for bloodshed events. Senior Constable McCance has been accepted by the Western
Australia Supreme Court, District Court and Coroners Court as an expert in the scientific
discipline.

VICE PRESIDENT - REGION VI

Brett McCance
Western Australian Police
Perth, Australia


Anthony Mangione is a Senior Crime Scene Investigator and responsible for crime scene
investigation and reconstruction, evidence collection and processing, courtroom testimony,
training and evaluation of crime scene investigators and evidence technicians. He specializes in
Death Investigation, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Fingerprint Examination, Shooting
Reconstruction and Forensic Photography/Videography.
He has investigated and processed in excess of 15,000 cases involving crime scenes and
forensic evidence related to homicide, suicide, robbery, sexual assault, arson, domestic violence,
child abuse, accidental death involving motor vehicle accidents and industrial/commercial
accidents.
Mr. Mangione is an instructor in Crime Scene Management, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis,
Forensic Photography, Fingerprint Examination, Crime Scene Search, Crime Scene
Documentation, Evidence Collection, DNA Evidence, Ballistics, Post Mortem Interval and
Death Investigation. He is a member of the IAI, NJ Division of the IAI, NJ Police Honor Legion,
Italian American Police Society and former Vice-President of the New Jersey State Identification
Association.

Sergeant at Arms

Anthony Mangione
Hamilton Police Division
Crime Scene Unit
Hamilton, New Jersey


Stuart H. James of James and Associates Forensic Consultants, Inc. is a graduate of Hobart
College where he received a BA degree in Biology and Chemistry in 1962. He received his
MT(ASCP) in Medical Technology from St. Marys Hospital in Tucson, Arizona in 1963.
Graduate courses completed at Elmira College include Homicide Investigation, Bloodstain
Pattern Analysis and Forensic Microscopy. He has completed more than 400 hours of continuing
education and training in Death Investigation and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. A former Crime
Laboratory supervisor in Binghamton, New York, he has been a private consultant since 1981.
Mr. James has instructed in Forensic Science at the State University of New York and Broome
Community College in Binghamton, New York. Additionally, he has lectured on the subjects of
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Forensic Science throughout the country and abroad including
the Tampa, Florida Police Academy, the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville
in Kentucky, the Oakland County Sheriffs Dept. in Pontiac, Michigan, the Nova Southeastern
University Law School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , the University of Miami Law School in
Coral Gables, Florida, the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, Suffolk University
in Boston, Massachusetts, the Henry C. Lee Institute at the University of New Haven in West
Haven, Connecticut, the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, Canada, the Politie LSOP
Institute for Criminal Investigation and Crime Science in Zutphen, The Netherlands, the
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the London Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom and
the Western Australian Police in Perth, Australia.
He has been consulted on homicide cases in 47 States and the District of Columbia as well as in
Australia, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the US Virgin
Islands and has provided expert testimony in many of these jurisdictions in state, federal and
military courts. Mr. James is a co-author of the text entitled, Interpretation of Bloodstain
Evidence at Crime Scenes and has contributed to other forensic texts including Introduction to
Forensic Science, Practical Fire and Arson Investigation and the Practical Methodology of
Forensic Photography. He is also a co-author of the revised Second Edition of Interpretation of
Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes and the Editor of Scientific and Legal Applications of
Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation both of which were published in 1998. He is a co-editor with
Jon J. Nordby of the text entitled Forensic Science An Introduction to Scientific and
Investigative Techniques first published in 2002 with the third edition published in 2009. He is
also a co-author with Paul Kish and T. Paulette Sutton of the text entitled Principles of
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Theory and Practice published in 2005. Mr. James is a fellow in
the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a distinguished member of the IABPA as well
as the current editor of the quarterly Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.

HISTORIAN

Stuart H. James
James And Associates Forensic Consultants, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

IABPA Committee Appointments for 2011

Certification Research Committee

The Certification Research Committee will utilize existing polling data and all other
gathered data to report on how to implement and structure BPA certification testing.

Chair- Don Schuessler

Misty Holbrook Collin Byrne
DeWayne Morris Jon Thomas
Colin Hoare Lisa Perry

Web Master
Joe Slemko

I nternet Committee
The Internet Committee will look at the feasibility and functionality of a new Web page
as well as Internet functions.

Chair- Jeff Scozzafava

Elizabeth Toomer Kevin Maloney
Andy Maloney Joe Slemko

Education Committee
The Education Committee carries out issues as directed by the IABPA Bylaws.

Chair- Leah Innocci
Brett McCance Kim Duddy
John Amish Amy Jagmin

Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee carries out ethics issues as directed by the IABPA Bylaws.

Chair- Rex Sparks

Pat Laturnus Gillian Leak
Matt Noedel


Publication Committee
The Publication Committee consists of the Editor and Associate Editors of the Journal of
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. The committee is responsible for the continuous recording of
information concerning our organization and the discipline of BPA. The associate editors
are responsible for the peer review of articles submitted to the Journal for possible
publication. They also research current literature for abstracts of BPA articles as well as
new ideas for the Journal.

Chair Stuart James Editor

Associate Editors

Carolyn Gannett Barton P. Epstein
Daniel Mabel Paul E. Kish
Jon J. Nordby Joe Slemko
Robert P. Spalding T. Paulette Sutton
Todd A. Thorne

By-Laws Committee
The Bylaws Committee will review the Bylaws and draft recommendations for changes.

Chair- Carolyn Gannett

Silke Brodbeck Andre Hendrix
Mark Reynolds

Dan Rahn Research Grant Committee
The Dan Rahn Research Grant Committee will receive applications from the
Secretary/Treasurer, review them, and make recommendations to the Board.

Chair- Michael Taylor

Brian Yamashita Mark Reynolds
LeeAnn Singley T. Paulette Sutton


Membership Committee
The Membership Committee carries out membership issues as directed by the IABPA
Bylaws.

Chair-Norman Reeves

John Amish Leah Innocci
Rex Sparks Jeff Scozzafava
Peter Lamb Brett McCance

SWGSTAI N Document Review Committee
The SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee will be responsible for the review of SWGSTAIN
documents. Its primary role will be to review those SWGSTAIN documents that are available for
public comment. Feedback to the SWG will be provided in written format and presented by
IABPAs appointed liaison to SWGSTAIN.

Chair-Kevin Maloney

Rich Tewes DeWayne Morris
Brett McCance Anthony Mangione
Brian Allen Carol Ritter
Cline Nicloux Elida Kafarowski
Emily Williams Jeff Scozzafava
Joe Slemko Margaret Barber
Scott Collings Sue Ann Derkach
Vanora Kean Todd A. Thorne

Translation Committee
The Translation Committee will ensure that an accurate, true, and acceptable translation
of the BPA glossary and definitions will be created and used for the necessary languages.

Chair-Andre Hendrix
Co-Chair- Peter Lamb

Phillipe Esperanca Sabine Hess
Silke Brodbeck Celine Nicloux
Andrea Berti


Legislation Committee
The Legislation Committee will monitor proposed legislation that could influence the way
bloodstain pattern analysis is done. It will report to the Board regarding the existence and
status of such legislation.

Chair- Carolyn Gannett

Misty Holbrook DeWayne Morris

Awards Committee
The Awards Committee will receive and evaluate written nominations for award
recipients and make recommendations to the Board regarding recipients. It will also draft
descriptions of and criteria for awards.

Chair- Todd A. Thorne

Emily Williams T. Paulette Sutton
Tony Mangione


Committee Reports for March 2011

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee is actively discussing fitting awards for members of our organization.
Additionally, research is being done to determine what other forensic organizations are offering.
Descriptions will be outlined and submitted to the Board for discussion.

Todd A. Thorne
Awards Committee Chair

Membership Committee

The membership committee has received 61 applications and requests for promotion; some are
rollovers from late submissions from last year. The new Regional Vice Presidents, who compose
the membership committee, easily got into the routine of processing new applicants and requests
for promotions.

Norman Reeves
Membership Committee Chair

Education Committee

The Education Committee has welcomed two new members this year, including a new chair.
Fortunately we have three retuning members to help us make a smooth transition. These last
weeks have been spent finalizing the committee members and getting everyone fully apprised of
the work of last years committee. We are working on a draft of requirements for advanced
bloodstain pattern analysis courses. One of the sticking points is that the amount of information
included might exceed 40 hours of instruction. We will continue to refine the draft, and we hope
to have it done by the end of the summer.

Leah Innocci
Education Committee Chair

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee has created a draft for a new code of ethics (see below). It is presented
here for preliminary review to provide the membership with an opportunity to suggest changes.
All written suggestions will be considered by the committee. Send them to
GannettForensics@aol.com; deadline for submissions is April 1,

2011. Note that you will find
nothing about enforcement of ethics in this draft. Such content is reserved for the code of ethics
enforcement policy, which will be the next task for this committee. That draft will be available
for review by the membership in the June, 2011 issue of the journal. Ratifying these documents
necessitates changes to the Bylaws. A draft of these changes, and others, will be available for
membership review in the June, 2011 issue of the journal.
Final drafts of all three documents: the Code of Ethics, the Enforcement Policy, and the
Bylawswill be mailed to the membership this summer to be voted on at the October 2011
Business Meeting.

Carolyn Gannett
Bylaws Committee Chair


Ethics Committee

The Ethics committee has submitted a final draft to President Todd A. Thorne regarding our
new ethics policy and we are awaiting responses from the President and the IABPA attorney. I
would like to thank the members of the ethics committee, Gillian Leak, Pat Laturnus and Matt
Noedel for all their work and input and many others from the Bylaws committee, the IABPA
Board and the membership for all their input, suggestions and assistance with this project. I
simply cannot say enough about the tireless efforts of Carolyn Gannett in assembling this draft
and I believe the entire membership owes her a big thank you for all her time and work. Our
new committee is getting up to speed with the IABPA business entrusted to us and a thanks to
President Todd A. Thorne for his guidance and assistance with this process.

Rex Sparks
Ethics Committee Chair

Dan Rahn Grant Committee

The Dan Rahn Grant Committee received one application for the grant. The Committee
reviewed and evaluated the application and sent the recommendation for approval to the Board.
The Board agreed with the Committee decision was awarded to Theresa Stotesbury from Ayr,
Ontario, Canada.

Michael Taylor
Dan Rahn Grant Committee Chair


The newly formed publication committee consists of the Editor and Associate Editors of our
new Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis The Official Publication of the International
Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. We are responsible for the production of our
quarterly publication, research for BPA related articles and the peer review of BPA research and
case reports submitted to the Editor for publication.

Stuart H. James, Editor and
Publication Committee Chair

Certification Research Committee

The 2009-10 Certification Research Committee members were Don Schuessler (Chair), Misty
Holbrook, Colin Byrne and Todd Thorne. It was reformed after the Portland, Oregon conference
due to significant and lengthy discussion during the business meeting about certification. The
catalyst for that discussion was the NAS report and pending legislation on the federal level to
develop and implement certification standards in a variety of disciplines within forensic science.
Basically the Certification Committee was directed by President Dalley to determine if the
association membership supported a certification program for bloodstain pattern analysis. To
accomplish that task, the Committee developed a brief survey which was made available to all
IABPA regular members asking if they were in favor of a certification program and if IABPA
should develop one on their own. Disappointingly, only twenty six IABPA members responded.
The majority of responding members favored some sort of certification process. The
Certification Committee did not make a recommendation about certification based upon the
limited response by the membership. It did report that a majority of those members responding
supported certification.

In an additional attempt to obtain a broader range of the IABPA memberships option on the
certification issue, the survey was handed out at the 2010 New Jersey conference. Seventy four
surveys were completed. The majority of these respondents also supported certification.
The 2010-11 Certification Committee membership was expanded to better complete the works
tasks required of it. The Committee members are; Don Schuessler (Chair), Misty Holbrook,
Collin Byrne, DeWayne Morris, Jon Thomas, Colin Hoare and Lisa Perry. President Thorne
charged the Committee with one task, determine how to structure and implement a certification
program. The recently expanded committee just received its work tasks and communication has
been initiated between members about the work it has to complete. An initial progress report will
be published in the June issue of the Journal.

Don Schuessler
Certification Research Committee Chair

Legislation Committee

The Legislation Committee is currently monitoring the following:

Sen. Leahys bill, which affects forensic science practitioners in general (only in the USA)
Proposed legislation in Wisconsin, USA regarding rules of evidence
The changes in the UK regarding establishment of a Forensic Science Regulation Unit to oversee the
practice of forensic science
If you know of pending legislation that may affect the way bloodstain pattern analysis is done,
please notify the Legislation Committee.

Carolyn Gannett
Legislation Committee Chair

Internet Committee

The committee has examined the current website for the IABPA and is currently preparing
recommendations and options to present to the Executive Board. The goal is to provide the
Executive Board with web site upgrade options (site design, members only section, online
voting, dues payments, etc.). The ultimate goal is to facilitate and encourage communication
between members and the executive board and between members themselves. The membership
is invited to forward comments or ideas to committee member Elizabeth
Toomer at toomerforensics@gmail.com.

Jeff Scozzafava
Internet Committee Chair

SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee

The SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee is made up of BPA practitioners from various
agencies and countries. The committee provided input on the Guidelines for Proficiency Testing
in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis document in Q4 2010 which was presented at the Fall 2010
SWGSTAIN meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. The Committee is currently providing feedback on
the Guidelines for the Validation of New Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis document.
This will be presented at the Spring, 2011 SWGSTAIN meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.

Kevin Maloney
SWGSTAIN Document Review Committee Chair


Why Might the IABPA Need a New Code of Ethics?

Carolyn Gannett

This issue contains a draft for a new IABPA Code of Ethics. You might be asking yourself:
Why? Whats wrong with the current one? Where did this new draft come from?
The short answers:

1. Its not the best type of code for defining an area of expertise.
2. It is not as comprehensive as it could be.
3. The new draft originated from the content of almost two dozen forensic science codes of
ethics.

1. Its not the best type of code for application to an area of expertise
The current code is a general code, as opposed to a specific code. This distinction was
delineated in the book, Ethics in Forensic Science, Professional Standards for the Practice of
Criminalistics by Pete Barnett. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences has served as the
model for this type of code since it was ratified in 1976 as the second written code of ethics in
forensic science. A general code consists of a few broad, enforceable (black-and-white)
statements. In short, it says, dont embarrass us, dont lie, and dont speak on our behalf without
prior approval. The entire code can be found at http://www.aafs.org/aafs-bylaws#Art2.
This type of code serves the Academy well, because that association consists of ten sections of
widely differing areas of expertise: pathology, jurisprudence, odontology, psychiatry,
engineering sciences, physical anthropology, criminalistics, and so on. Some of these are
professions, such as the medical and legal professions, which already have a long history of
detailed, routinely updated written ethics. The Academy wished only to supplement such codes,
underlining only the broadest of principles, while leaving the details and meat of a code up to
each area of expertise to define. As a result, the Academys code is quite simple.
On the other hand, bloodstain pattern analysis is one of the areas of expertise that a general
code would supplement. This area of expertise needs its own details laid down in a formal
document. This requires the other type of code: the specific code. Such codes are detailed and
serve to educate the reader, in addition to providing enforceable content. However, the current
code is not a specific-type codeit is a general-type.

2. It is not as comprehensive as it could be.
To understand why, it helps to understand the purposes of a code of ethics. By far, the broadest
application is that of guidanceto educate practitioners in what their professional community
considers ethical conduct. In forensic science, this includes responsibilities to colleagues, the
profession, the justice system, and the public. To best serve this purpose, a code consists of not
only enforceable black-and-white rules, but also motherhood statementsthose that serve a
heuristic purpose and may not be enforceable. The term motherhood statements was coined by
the authors of the Academys code. They specifically strove to avoid such statements because
they are typically not enforceable, and the authors wanted only enforceable content in their code.
However, for a code that helps define a profession (or area of expertise), such content is
necessary in order to fulfill the codes heuristic purpose. General codes, like the IABPAs,
typically shortchange the heuristic purpose, primarily containing only enforceable, black-and-
white, rules.
Another purpose of a code of ethics is to serve as a hallmark of a profession. Professions are
considered professions, rather than jobs, in part because their practitioners answer to each other
regarding the quality of their work and their conduct. Standards outlining quality and conduct,
which are agreed upon by the professional community, are put into writing to create a code of

ethics and offer a base from which a profession can operate. The stronger (and more
comprehensive) the base, the more solid the professions foundation.
Codes of ethics also offer protection to the practitioner. Suppose a boss, client, attorney, or
investigator asks you to do something you think is unethical. You could say, I cant do that
because I think thats unethical. Really? Thats just your opinion. Maybe the requester has a
different opinion. Whos right? Now youre set up to butt heads and, since you are the lowly
analyst and the proverbial poop flows downhill, you will probably suffer the brunt of the head-
butting. How much more productive would it be to be able to say, Id like to be able to
accommodate you, but unfortunately the ethics code that I answer to clearly states right here in
Article X, Section Y, Paragraph Z, that doing so would be unethical. By the way, dont you
answer to the same code? So, this would apply to both of us, wouldnt it? Voilayoure now
both on the same page. Even if the requester doesnt answer to the same code, being able to point
to a document to which you must answer gives your refusal more validity and clout. Now, in the
requesters eyes, its not about you being a problem child and refusing to complyits about you
being ethical, and you have the documents to back it up. A code can only offer protection if it
contains content relevant to your situationanother reason to ensure that it is comprehensive.
Policing the profession is another purpose of codes of ethics. Enforceable, clearly written,
black-and-white rules make this function easier. The IABPAs current code, being a specific
code, has such content in Article III, Section 1. Basically, it says, dont lie. In particular, dont lie
about your standing in the association, education, training, experience, data, or facts. But, there
are other items that can be enforced.
Having read ethics documents from about two dozen forensic sciences associations and having
sorted them by concepts and principles, I can say that most enforce more than just dont lie. I
have found 25 principles and sub-principles in the code Ive reviewed. The most comprehensive
documents contain over 20 of them, and those documents tend to be specific-type codes. The
least comprehensive, containing fewer than ten principles and sub-principles, are general-type
codes. The IABPAs current code (including Section 2, Guiding Principles) contains fourteen of
these principles and sub-principlesnot one of the least comprehensive codes, but still plenty of
room for improvement.

3. The new draft originated from the content of almost two dozen forensic science codes of ethics.
The draft found elsewhere in this issue started from a survey of the content in almost two
dozen forensic science codes of ethics*. All the concepts and principles found were put into one
document. In 2009, the California Association of Criminalists (CAC) created an ad hoc
committee to develop a national code of ethics. They started with the document and devoted
several meetings and e-mail discussions to honing and fine-tuning the content. The members of
that committee, chaired by Pete Barnett (author of the aforementioned book on forensic science
ethics, a private practitioner for decades, and a member of IABPA), included John Murdock
(who authored AFTEs Code of Ethics, ASCLDs Guidelines for Forensic Management
Principles, and the CACs code of ethics enforcement policy), four public lab criminalists
(including me; each with decades of experience in many areas of expertise and quality
assurance), a forensic science professor (with decades in the field), and a public lab quality
assurance manager. The CAC document continues to be a work in progress.
The IABPA draft started with the CACs document as it stood the beginning of January of this
year. It was first compared to the original survey to re-insert any principles and concepts that
might have inadvertently been dropped during the CAC committees massaging. It was then
adjusted to apply directly to the IABPA, to read more smoothly, and to add content requested by
other members. The Bylaws Committee, the IABPA lawyer, and the Board all had a chance to
look at it prior to publishing in this issue. Granted, review time for each was miniscule in order
to make the publication date for this issue. All of those entities will have a chance to provide a
more substantial review, over the course of the next few months.
This is intended to be YOUR document. It will be the foundation for your area of expertise and
guide your colleagues towards ethical practice. Lets all strive to make this the best document

possible. If you have any questions or suggestions for changes to the code of ethics draft, please
submit them to me (the Bylaws Committee chair) by April 1 at GannettForensics@aol.com.
The surveyed codes include those from the following Associations:

AAFS American Academy of Forensic Sciences
ABC American Board of Criminalistics
ABFDE American Board of Forensic Document Examiners
ACSR Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction
AFTE Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners
ANZFSS Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society
ASCLD C American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (Code of Ethics)
ASCLD G ASCLD (Guidelines for Forensic Laboratory Management Practices)
ASCLD/LAB American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation
Board
ASQDE American Society or Questioned Document Examiners
CAC California Association of Criminalists
CSFS Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences
ENFSI European Network of Forensic Science Institutes
FSS-UK Forensic Science Society (United Kingdom)
IABPA Intl Assoc. of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts
IAI Intl Association for Identification
MAAFS Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists
MAFS Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists
NEAFS Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists
NWAFS Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists
RMABPA Rocky Mountain Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts
SAFS Southern Association of Forensic Scientists
SWAFS Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists


IABPA CODE OF ETHICS
Draft - February 25, 2011
Carolyn Gannett

PREAMBLE

Because a members conduct is a reflection on the association and the profession, members
have a responsibility to their colleagues, their employer, the justice system, and the public to
conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. To this end, members should be aware of the
content of this Code of Ethics. They should take all reasonable steps to work with the association
to make this document as relevant, comprehensive, current, and clear as possible.

Purpose

The purposes of this document are to:
Provide principles and rules for individual professional conduct in the practice of forensic
science disciplines;
Provide a template for evaluating an individuals professional conduct;
Offer protection to individuals who are asked to perform unethical acts;
Ensure uniformity and quality of service to colleagues, the justice system, and the general
public.

Scope

This document applies to all classes of membership of the International Association of
Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA). Although no code of ethics can precisely fit every
occasion, the principles and rules of conduct set forth in this document are intended to describe
the conduct expected of a member. Violation of these principles and rules may result in the
Association imposing disciplinary sanctions including but not limited to suspension or
termination of membership.

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

1. Objectivity

Bloodstain pattern analysis is rooted in the scientific method and based on the application of
scientific principles and techniques. The principle of objectivity is paramount in science, and
its unwavering application in casework is essential. Being objective entails recognizing that
bias may sometimes be unavoidable. Members should strive to recognize all biases which are
present that could affect results and take all reasonable measures to ensure that these biases
do not affect the results. Those measures may involve using certain protocols, designing
experiments in a manner to counter or avoid the bias, or declining the assignment.

Conflicts of interest with an employer, client, or the justice system shall be documented and
disclosed, and the assignment shall only be accepted if ordered to complete the task. A
member shall not provide services on a contingency-fee basis; however, a reasonable fee may
be charged for services.

Objectivity requires that all available relevant facts be considered before making conclusions
or opinions, and that conclusions and opinions be based only on these facts and valid
arguments. Members should use all of the means at their command to identify and evaluate
all facts relevant to the matter under investigation. If new developments in the investigation
or in the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis come to light, members should receive them

with an open mind and be prepared to reconsider and, if necessary, change their conclusions
or opinions.

Experts in a forensic science discipline serve a different function within the justice system
from that of attorneys. This difference necessitates dissimilar processes and goals. Members
should recognize these dissimilarities and should not confuse their own processes and goals
with those of attorneys. The experts process should be unbiased and systematic, not
adversarial. The experts goals are to objectively discern and accurately present facts, while
the attorneys goals are to advocate for the client. In recognition of these dissimilarities,
members should not assist legal contestants through tactics that might implant a false
impression. Members should consent to interviews with counsel for both sides prior to trial,
if requested and allowed. Members should not confuse fact with theory, nor give greater
weight to a conclusion or opinion than is due.

1.1. Examinations and Analyses

1.1.1. A member shall be objective.
1.1.2. A member shall take all reasonable steps to obtain and evaluate all sources of data
that might be relevant to the matter under investigation.
1.1.3. A member shall base conclusions or opinions on data derived from examinations
or analyses of all available relevant evidence.
1.1.4. A member shall base conclusions or opinions on valid arguments.
1.1.5. When sampling evidence, a member shall do so in a representative manner.
1.1.6. Whenever possible, a member shall leave sufficient sample for additional testing;
evidence shall not be consumed unnecessarily.
1.1.7. A member shall not do superfluous tests in an attempt to give a conclusion or
opinion more weight.
1.1.8. A member shall not make unfounded conclusions on grounds of race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, beliefs, gender, language, sexual
orientation, social status, age lifestyle, or political persuasion.
1.2. Conflicts of Interest

1.2.1. A member shall not provide services on a contingency-fee basis.
1.2.2. A member shall document and disclose to the employer or client any known
potential conflict of interest, real or perceived, regarding a case assignment.
1.2.2.1.A member shall not accept such an assignment without explicit written
consent from the employer or client.
1.2.3. A member shall disclose to the Executive Board any intended direct financial gain
from participation in any association activities.

2. Communication

In all aspects of professional activity, a member should be truthful and forthright within
legal constraints. When an expert is hired as a forensic science expert by a client, a
confidential relationship is presumed to exist between them. When an expert is retained by an
attorney representing a litigant, a confidential relationship is presumed to exist between the
expert and the attorney.


Scientific and legal principles require that those who use or evaluate the conclusions or
opinions of experts in forensic science disciplines must be able to verify them by the review
of data, the replication of experiments, the testing of alternative hypotheses, and by
challenging the process used in arriving at conclusions and opinions. For this reason, a
member shall provide clear and complete documentation of all factors used to form a
conclusion or opinion. When documenting and reporting, a member shall communicate in an
appropriately precise, accurate, and clear manner. A member shall not intentionally obscure
information by inclusion, omission, or any other means, and shall make documents and
information readily available to those who have a legal right to them.

A member shall make only technically correct statements. When two experts arrive at
different conclusions or opinions, it may be possible that a technically incorrect statement has
been made. Members who are aware that another expert has arrived at a different conclusion
or opinion from their own should, if possible, give due consideration to potential sources of
that difference. When possible, members should attempt resolution of the difference. This
may be done by exchanging information, samples, or data; jointly conducting experiments;
referral to a third party; or other means. Members should realize that there can be legitimate
differences of opinion. Members should strive to make accurate statements in testimony,
reports, examination records, and technical publications. When testifying, members should
not use unduly sensational means of conveying information.

2.1. Testimony, Reports, Examination Records, and Technical Publications

2.1.1. A member shall make only technically correct statements.
2.1.2. A member shall refuse to offer conclusions, opinions, or observations in matters
outside his or her areas of expertise.

2.1.3. A member shall accurately represent his or her qualifications, including, but not
limited to: education, training, experience, areas of expertise, certification status,
and professional association membership statuses.

2.1.4. A member shall communicate in an appropriately precise, accurate, and clear
manner.
2.1.4.1.A member shall not use intentionally misleading language.
2.1.4.1.1. If permitted, a member shall explain or qualify yes-or-no answers if
not doing so would be misleading.
2.1.4.2.A member shall not alter reports or other records, or withhold information
from reports for strategic or tactical litigation advantage..
2.1.4.3.A member shall report all results, conclusions, and opinions, and shall not
withhold information that would be unfavorable to the side by whom he or she
has been retained.
2.1.4.4.If a member does not know the answer to a question being asked, the member
shall make this known.
2.1.5. A member shall fully explain relevant data, methods, logic, and conclusions and
opinions, including any qualifications and limitations.
2.1.5.1.A member shall clearly differentiate data from conclusions or opinions based
on that data.
2.1.6. A member shall take all reasonable steps to identify and document in examination
records all sources of data that might be relevant to the matter under investigation.

2.1.6.1.A member shall document in examination records any of these sources of data
that could not be obtained.
2.1.7. At the time they are performed, a member shall document in examination records
all relevant data (including, but not limited to all examinations, analyses,
methods, observations, alterations, and results), conclusions or opinions along
with the logic and assumptions used to reach them, and any qualifications and
limitations that apply to each.
2.1.8. A member shall preserve examination records and reports while in his or her
custody.

2.2. Disclosure

2.2.1. A member shall make documents and information readily available to those who
have a legal right to them.
2.2.2. A member shall, in a timely manner, document and disclose to the employer or
client, or appropriate legal authority any known errors or omissions and any
changes in advice, conclusions, or opinions.
2.2.3. A member shall, in a timely manner, document and disclose to the employer,
client, or appropriate legal authority any attempt by a second party to alter results
or improperly influence conclusions or opinions.
2.2.4. A member shall preserve confidentiality unless there is an overriding duty to the
court and the justice system for disclosure (if legally allowed), including a
situation where a miscarriage of justice might occur.

2.3. A member shall be truthful when communicating with the IABPA Board or its
representatives.
2.4. A member shall not repeat statements or beliefs expressed at IABPA conferences or
meetings without putting them into the context in which they were made.

3. Methods and Procedures

Sound scientific procedure requires that practitioners neither form conclusions nor render
opinions which are beyond their areas of competence. In accordance with this, a member
should not only be aware of the limits of his or her areas of expertise, but also shall be aware
of his or her personal limitations in training and experience and refuse to practice outside
them. On the other hand, members shall not take advantage of the privilege to express
conclusions or opinions in their areas of expertise by offering them on matters to which they
have not given formal consideration.

Whenever possible, members should use validated reliable methods that are generally
accepted by the forensic science community. New or novel concepts or methods may be used
when required; however, a member shall critically evaluate them prior to drawing
conclusions from them.

Whenever possible, members should regularly complete proficiency tests and have another
expert technically review their work. Members should strive to produce their report in a
timely manner.

3.1. A member shall be aware of his or her personal limitations in training and experience.

3.2. A member shall not offer conclusions or opinions on matters to which he or she has not
given formal consideration.
3.3. A member shall use methods that have appropriate accuracy and precision.
3.4. A member shall use appropriate and reliable reagents, standards, and controls.
3.5. A member shall use appropriate equipment in adequate facilities.
3.6. A member shall critically evaluate new or novel concepts and methods prior to drawing
conclusions from them.
3.7. A member shall document the identity and integrity of evidence prior to examination or
analysis.
3.8. A member shall maintain evidence integrity.

4. Responsibility

A member shall not tolerate nor conceal a violation of the Code of Ethics. Apparent
infractions may be resolved interpersonally or otherwise within an agency or company.
However, a member shall report egregious or repeated violations of the Code of Ethics to the
association if other appropriate corrective measures (if pursued) have failed. Such a report
should be filed in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in the IABPAs
Enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

The fair and respectful treatment of others is an essential component of responsible
professional conduct. Members should strive to be fair when interacting with others. When a
member gives advice regarding the questioning of another witness, the purpose shall be to
prevent incompetent and misleading testimony, and to make known any facts that are legally
relevant. The purpose should not be to exercise a vendetta or thwart justice. Fairness also
includes the accurate assignment of credit for work. A member shall not engage in
plagiarism, but shall properly credit work done by others. In addition, a member shall
discourage the association of his or her name with developments, publications, or
organizations to which no significant contributions were made.

Members should take responsibility for determining the most appropriate protocols for
doing their own examinations or analyses. This determination should not be left to those
requesting the work, such as clients, attorneys, or investigators.

When working a case, the individuals performing examinations or analyses may be the
people who are best suited to recognize probative evidence and recommend appropriate
examinations and analyses. A member working a case shall take all reasonable steps to
encourage that appropriate examinations and analyses are requested for the probative
evidentiary items in that case.

Members should take responsibility for staying current within their area of expertise. They
should be aware of recent scientific advances and new standards, guidelines, policies, and
regulations. This may be accomplished by, but is not limited to, reading peer-reviewed
technical publications and other relevant literature, attending professional conferences, taking
classes, and exchanging information with other experts. To assist colleagues with staying
current, members should present any new developments to the profession, and should
encourage and support research and training whenever possible.

Members should take all reasonable measures to inform the court of the nature and
implications of pertinent evidence if reasonably assured that this information would not
otherwise be disclosed to the court. They may appeal to the presiding judicial officer (in the
absence of the jury if the trial be by judge and jury) if they believe that the manner in which

evidence is being elicited is such to prevent the disclosure of a significant relevant matter or
circumstance.

4.1. Responsibilities Regarding Ethical Conduct

4.1.1. A member shall not commit, tolerate, nor conceal a violation of this Code of
Ethics.

4.1.2. A member shall report serious or repeated violations of the Code of Ethics to the
association if other appropriate corrective measures (if pursued) have failed.
4.1.3. A member shall report to the employer or client any conflict between the Code of
Ethics and the members responsibilities as defined by the employer or client, and
shall take all reasonable measures to resolve it.
4.1.4. A member shall report to the employer or client any conflict between professional
responsibilities and agency policy, law, regulation, or other legal authority, and
shall take all reasonable measures to resolve it.

4.2. Responsibilities to the Profession

4.2.1. A member shall not engage in conduct detrimental to the profession, including
illegal conduct that adversely reflects upon the professional competence of the
member or upon the Association as a whole.
4.2.2. A member shall not engage in plagiarism, but shall properly credit work done by
others.
4.2.3. A member shall discourage the association of his or her name with developments,
publications, or organizations to which no significant contributions were made.
4.2.4. A member shall be responsible for his or her own work and for work done under
his or her direction.
4.2.5. When a member gives advice regarding the questioning of another witness, the
purpose shall be to prevent incompetent and misleading testimony and to make
known any facts that are legally relevant; the purpose shall not be to thwart
justice.
4.2.6. A member working a case shall take all reasonable steps to encourage that
appropriate examinations and analyses are requested for the probative evidentiary
items in that case.
4.2.7. A member acting in an official capacity for the association (including, but not
limited to, Executive Board members, committee chairs, and committee members)
shall use all reasonable efforts to fulfill the duties and obligations of their
assignment in a timely manner.
4.2.8. A member shall not use membership in an association nor employment status to
obtain unjustified benefits, privileges, or exemptions.
4.2.9. A member shall take appropriate action if he or she feels there are good grounds
for believing there is a situation which could result in a miscarriage of justice.


4.3. Responsibilities of Members who are Managers or Supervisors

4.3.1. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall facilitate, support, and promote an
environment conducive to ethical conduct.
4.3.2. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall ensure that laboratory services are
provided in a manner that maximizes organizational efficiency and ensures an
economical expenditure of resources and personnel while maintaining necessary
quality standards.
4.3.3. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall ensure that employees have sufficient
academic qualifications, experience, knowledge, and training to perform work
within their areas of expertise and operate in accordance with the Code of Ethics.
4.3.4. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall establish and maintain an appropriate
quality assurance system.
4.3.5. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall promote and support participation in
professional associations, certification programs, and technical working groups.
4.3.6. Laboratory managers and supervisors shall not allow employees to be pressured
to perform substandard work, take technical shortcuts, or arrive at conclusions or
opinions not supported by scientific data.


TECHNICAL REPORT

Visualizing Bloodstain Patterns on Dark or Multi-colored, Multi-designed
Clothing using Luminol and Adobe Photoshop Layers

Tom Hill

Introduction

Bloodstains on clothing or its absence is important evidence in any forensic investigation. The
patterns can provide valuable information to a bloodstain pattern analyst. Once blood is located it
needs to be documented utilizing notes and photography. Documentation can be difficult when
bloodstains have been deposited on dark or multicolored fabric. Additional problems exist with
fabrics that have been stained by liquids other than blood. The use of Photoshop to create
composites is an excellent way to assist with note taking and documentation of bloodstains on
clothing or any other object. Exhibits can also be created to assist with trial testimony.
This documentation process can be achieved by the use of luminol photography and then
creating a composite photograph in Photoshop. The steps outlined are aimed at an analyst with
previous Photoshop skills. Photoshop CS4 was the version used for the examples presented
in this paper.

Materials

Dark trousers
Multicolored shirt
Equine (horse) blood
Luminol preparation:

1. 3.5g Sodium Perborate
2. 25.0g Sodium Carbonate
3. 0.5g 3-Amino-Phthalhydrazide, 98% (Luminol)
4. 500ml distilled water

Add 1 to 4 and shake for at least one minute.
Add 2 and 3 to 4. Mix until dissolved.
Allow un-dissolved sediment to settle to bottom of container.
Pour off liquid into a dark container.

Known scale: two copper pennies glued six inches apart onto a hard surface. They will be seen
very clearly as copper will luminesce when luminol is applied.

Camera utilized:
Nikon D300
Nikon 24-120 VR lens
Tripod
Camera Settings for Luminol Image:
F-5.6
15 seconds
ISO 800
White Balance auto
10 second shutter delay
Quality: JPG Fine, RAW or TIFF. (I use JPG Fine)


Creating the Bloodstain Patterns

Example A was created with cast off and swiping of a bloody hand.
Example B was created by pooling blood into a cupped hand and slapping multiple times with
the other hand. The hands were then dragged down the sleeves and the neck line grabbed.

Methodology

Photographic steps

1. Place the penny scale next to the target surface.
2. With camera mounted on the tripod, aim so that lens is 90 degrees to the target
surface. Adjust the zoom so that target fills frame. Once set in this position it must not
be moved. Both images will be taken using the tripod mounted settings.
3. Image #1 is taken using settings that produce a correctly exposed image. You must
decide on the settings and lighting (Figures 1 and 4).
4. Do not move the camera for the next photograph.
5. Image #2 is taken using the settings described above for CAMERA SETTINGS FOR
LUMINOL IMAGE. This will be done in a blackened environment. Your shutter
should be on a delay setting. On the target surface begin spraying a fine mist of
luminol one second before the shutter opens. Do not overspray the Luminol solution
since drips may be produced. The camera will record much more information than we
can see (Figures 2 and 5).

Transferring Images to the Computer

Image #1 should be a correctly exposed image. Image #2 will appear black with blue areas of
luminescence. Transfer both images to a new folder on your computer. Rename them Image #1
and Image #2. Copy and paste the images into the same folder. You should now have a second
set of images with the word copy written within the file name. Digital imaging protocol requires
that image processing will only be done on a copy of the original. The copied images will be the
ones worked on from this point.

Creating the Composite

1. Open Photoshop.
2. Open Image #1.
3. Make adjustments to the exposure. For this example the appearance of the trousers was
adjusted to a lighter color and the different paint stains were adjusted to a black color.
This was achieved by going into CALCULATIONS using the following settings. Source 1
red invert. Source 2 red. Blending Light Color. Opacity 100.
4. Open IMAGE SIZE. Record the width, height and resolution.
5. Create a NEW canvas. Use the dimensions from the recorded values in step 4. Name the
new canvas Composite of image #1 and #2.
6. Copy and paste Image #1 onto the new canvas you just created. Close out Image #1. Save
changes if desired.
7. Open Image #2. Adjust color using LEVELS (or mode of your choice). You want to have
a black background with the luminescence having a bluish white color. Be careful not to
over-adjust as that will create noise. Copy and paste onto the new document. Image #2
should be layered above image #1. Close image #2. Save changes if desired.
8. Make image #2 the active layer. Adjust opacity to 50%. Use the MOVE tool to fine tune
the position of layer #2 over layer #1 by making sure the pennies overlap properly.
9. Readjust the opacity of layer #2 to achieve the desired visual result.

10. Each layer can be individually adjusted if need be to create the best visual combination of
the two images.
11. Save the completed composite back into your folder as a TIFF or PSD file. Saving in
either of these file formats preserves the layers in the event you want to make
adjustments in the future. Once saved in either of these file formats you can save again as
a high quality JPG for printing or easy viewing (Figures 3 and 6).

Conclusions

Using Photoshop can be daunting to many novice users. It contains hundreds of tools and
combinations of tools within the program. Becoming comfortable using layers and the
adjustment tools is simply a matter of using the program and experimenting on different images.
Someone with a minimal amount of experience with the program should be able to follow the
steps outlined above to achieve the desired results. The use of Photoshop to visualize
bloodstains specifically on dark clothing that have been processed with luminol enable the
Bloodstain Pattern Analyst to create very detailed court exhibits, and notes for case work.

Example A: Back Side of Trousers Stained with Paint and Blood

Figure 1. Image 1 of trousers with proper lighting Figure 2. Image 2 of trousers with luminol
prior to the application of luminol. applied.


Figure 3. The composite of images 1 and 2 of the trousers.

Example B: Front Side of a Multi Color, Multi Design Blouse

Figure 4. Image 1 of blouse with proper lighting Figure 5. Image 2 of blouse with luminol
prior to the application of luminol. applied.


Figure 6. The composite of images 1 and 2 of the blouse.

References

James, S. H., Eckert, W. G., Interpretation of Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes, Second
Edition, CRC Press 1998, and Chapter 6 pp. 139-149 Chapter 7 pp. 153-161.

Reis, G., Photoshop CS3 for Forensic Professionals, 2007, Wiley Publishing Inc,
Chapter 14 pp. 141-143.

King, L. S., Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual, OReilly Media 2008 First edition, pp. 69-
122, 268-276, 363-390.

Lefebvre, G. Sgt, A Method for Photographing Luminol Reactions at Crime Scenes, IABPA
News, Vol. 21. No., 2 June 2005, p. 4.

Tom Hill
Forensic Analyst
Broward County Sheriffs Office
201 SE 6th Street
North Wing, Room 1799
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Office 954-831-5546
Cell 954-647-1406


Dan Rahn Memorial Grant Award Recipient for 2011

The Dan Rahn Memorial Grant Award for 2011 has been awarded to Theresa Stotesbury from
Ayr, Ontario, Canada. She is currently a research assistant at the Inorganic Materials Laboratory
at Trent University in Petersborough, Ontario, Canada where she is completing her Bachelor of
Science degree in Forensic Science (BScF.S.) with a minor in Chemistry. She is an applicant for
Associate Member in the IABPA. Her supervisor for her research project is S/Sgt Mike Illes with
the Ontario Provincial Police. The title of her research project is:

The Application of Acid Yellow 7 for the Visualization of Impact Bloodstain Patterns
Camouflaged on Dark Surfaces and Analysis Using the BackTrack Suite of Programs.

Problem and Hypotheses:

Sometimes blood-letting events can be camouflaged when spatter contacts dark and opaque
surfaces. Conventional photography cannot always capture a desired image of these bloodstains;
especially those belonging to impact patterns where the average sizes of the droplets is relatively
small. The use of the strong fluorophore, acid yellow 7 (AY7) should provide analysts with a
means to visually enhance impact patterns. The purpose of this study will be to investigate both
the chemical and physical effects of the enhancement process. Distortion in any manner, of
chemically enhanced bloodstains holds significant consequences in an investigators analysis.
Loss of detail, especially the integrity of the edge of the stain could affect the accuracy of other
BPA techniques including a point of origin determination. The diffusion of dried blood when
sprayed with an aqueous solution may present a significant problem to the bloodstain
community. One area of focus of this project will be to investigate the physical effects involved
when dried blood is exposed to airbourne aqueous droplets applied by traditional methods (i.e.
spray bottle application). Is the force of the spray a major contributor to stain deformation? Does
the inclusion of a barrier, for example, filter paper between the stain and the spray help maintain
the integrity of the stain? Another area of inquiry will be to access the damage that blood
diffusion causes to subsequent BPA. Since most chemical enhancement dyes are extremely
sensitive, it would be interesting to see the amount of background noise the diffusion creates
when observing the stains under alternate lighting.
Questions driving this research will include:
1. Is the integrity of the stain maintained throughout the entire enhancement process?
2. Does the fluorescence of AY7 enhanced bloodstains distort the width/length ratio of the
ellipse?
3. What is the optimal enhancement procedure that provides analysts with the most accurate
point of origin determination when processing camouflaged bloodstain?


Evaluation of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope
for Use in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Daniel E. Mabel
1
and Stuart H. James
2

Introduction

Measurement of bloodstains is a task performed in a variety of forensic contexts, including the
calculation of the angle of impact at which a blood drop strikes a target. Manual measurement of
bloodstains for this purpose using rulers, loupes, and calipers has long been the standard
approach within bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA). However, computer software is rapidly
being created to automate this process and to attempt to reduce measurement error due to
subjectivity. As is many times the case when a tried and true method is upgraded for the digital
age, it becomes altogether too cumbersome, complicated, and expensive to be justifiable for
daily operations. The current study will attempt to provide a satisfactory compromise between
traditional manual methods and cutting-edge automated stain measurement.
The Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope (CHDM), designed and manufactured by
Celestron, LLC of Torrance, California, is a compact and portable device powered solely by
USB connection. It allows for the documentation of bloodstains at 10x-40x and 150x
magnifications (Figure 1). In addition, 1.3 megapixel digital images of stains can be acquired
with the push of a button, and the included Digital Microscope Suite 2.0 software allows for
measurement of stains on a one hundredth of a millimeter scale. The appeal of such convenience
and functionality is amplified when considering the microscopes price point. As of this writing,
the manufacturers website lists the digital microscope at $69.95 USD (Celestron, 2011).

Figure 1: Overall image of basic setup with laptop and Celestron.

______________________________________________________________________________________

1. Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Cleveland, Ohio
2. James and Associates Forensic Consultants, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The features of the CHDM are numerous as demonstrated by Herbert Leon MacDonell, but if it
is to be useful in bloodstain pattern analysis as more than a digital magnifier, the microscopes
measurement capabilities must be validated. Such validation is intended to provide analysts with
confidence that stain measurement using the CHDM is precise, as well as consistent with
previously used manual techniques. The current study will endeavor to validate the Celestron
Handheld Digital Microscope for the measurement of bloodstains, and will also attempt to
provide a comprehensive list of the devices benefits and potential limitations for application in
BPA.

Materials and Methods

In order to gauge the precision of the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope for measuring
bloodstains, spatter patterns were created using defibrinated sheep blood acquired from Hemostat
Laboratories. Blood was applied to the bristles of a toothbrush and the bristles were used to
project the blood at a paper target. Using this method, two general pattern types were created. A
"circular" stain pattern was created by projecting blood at a ninety degree angle to the target
surface. An "elongated" stain pattern was created by projecting blood at an acute angle to the
target surface. After drying, stains were sprayed with a fixative to prevent flaking.
Twenty-five stains from each pattern type were identified as suitable for measurement by their
shape and border regularity. The fifty total stains were labeled, and the two authors
independently made three sets of measurements of the stains. The first set was acquired
manually using a loupe and two other sets were acquired digitally using the CHDM at 40x (Low)
and 150x (High) magnifications, respectively (Figure 2). Diameters were measured for the
twenty-five circular stains, and both widths and lengths were measured for the twenty-five
elongated stains (Figures 3-5). All measurements were made in millimeters.

Figure 2: Instrumentation used in the current study, including Celestron
Handheld Digital Microscope (with stand) and two loupes.

Figure 3: Celestron measurement of a circular stain on Low and High magnification.

Figure 4: Celestron measurement of the width of an elongated stain on Low and High magnification.

Figure 5: Celestron measurement of the length of an elongated stain on Low and High magnification.


Results and Discussion

The data were categorized by stain type (circular, elongated width, and elongated length), and
further by measurement type (manual and digital). Table 1 provides the average range of
measurements for each of these categories. Comparison of the range of measurements between
the manual method and the use of the CHDM for each stain type demonstrates that there is a
degree of error inherent to both methods. However, for all three stain types, the average ranges
of measurement between the two methods are within 0.01 millimeter of one another. Thus, the
data illustrate that the two methods are both precise. Also, the average range of measurement for
all stain types is at or below 0.10 millimeters. It is important to note that the higher average
ranges for the elongated stain length measurements reflect a known source of error inherent to
ellipse estimation (James, Kish, & Sutton, 2005).

Table 1: Average range of measurements for each stain type, allowing comparison of
manual measurement to digital measurement.

Stain Type Average Range (mm)
Circular (Manual) 0.04
Circular (Digital) 0.04
Elongated Width (Manual) 0.04
Elongated Width (Digital) 0.05
Elongated Length (Manual) 0.09
Elongated Length (Digital) 0.10

The nature of bloodstain measurement prohibits the ability to gauge the accuracy of either
method, as there is no 'known' or 'true' value for a particular stain to which to compare a human
measurement. Future evaluation of the accuracy of the CHDM using standard reference
materials is recommended. The full data set used in the current study is shown in Appendix 1.
Below are listed a number of the benefits and potential limitations of the Celestron Handheld
Digital Microscope noted by the authors for its use in bloodstain pattern analysis:

Benefits

Precise method of stain measurement
Microscope is simple to install and operate
Digital Microscope Suite 2.0 Software is simple to use
Inexpensive ($69.95 USD)
Compact
Rugged
Highly portable
Powered solely via USB cable
Adequate image resolution for stain characterization
10x-40x and 150x magnifications
Ability to acquire digital images of stains
LED lights within microscope illuminate samples
Reduced user strain
Ability to focus on a surface from a stand-off distance up to approximately
12" (could allow for orientation of a specific stain in a larger pattern)
Can be used on vertical surfaces
Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 39 Vol. 27, No.1 March 2011

Ability to document stain measurement (using 'Print Screen'), significantly
reducing or eliminating subjectivity (especially when measuring the lengths
of elongated stains)
Highly useful for courtroom setting or for training in the measurement of
bloodstains

Limitations

Small field of view limits size of stains that can be photographed (in their
entirety) or measured
No function exists within Digital Microscope Suite 2.0 software to capture
an image of the measurement process (must use 'Print Screen')
Included microscope stand is flimsy
Potential contamination issues arise from necessity of pressing microscope
flush against sampling surface
Microscope's ability to measure stains precisely is eliminated when
microscope is not flush against the sample surface
Microscope must be attached to a computer in order to be used
No option to turn LED lighting off
Must use a ring stand or other support device if using microscope from a
stand-off distance
There is the lack of an ellipse fitting tool for helping to determine the
length of elongated stains

Conclusions

The Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope has the potential to become a valuable new tool for
the bloodstain pattern analyst. It is not meant as a replacement for manual methods of
measurement such as loupes, rulers, or calipers because of its limited field of view. However,
for small stains that are difficult to measure, the CHDM provides a simple, precise, and
inexpensive solution. In addition, the ability to document measurements by capturing them in a
digital image serves to reduce subjectivity and could be invaluable in a courtroom or classroom
setting.
Improvements to the interface of the software would greatly benefit the CHDM including the
addition of a tool to capture images of the screen with the measurement window present, as well
as an added ability to make multiple measurements at one time. Beyond the limitation of the
software, the instrument itself is prone to contamination issues arising from the need to press it
flush against the surface containing the stains to ensure precise measurements. Care should be
taken to thoroughly decontaminate those surfaces of the microscope that could come into contact
with biological fluids. This study is meant to serve as a fundamental validation of the CHDM for
measuring bloodstains. The data illustrate that the CHDM is similar in precision to manual
methods. Before the CHDM can be used for forensic casework, internal validation is highly
recommended.

References

Celestron (2011) Handheld Digital Microscope, Retrieved December 30, 2010 from Celestron.
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=81&ProdID=557

James, S.H., Kish, P.E. & Sutton, T.P. (2005) Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Theory
and Practice, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida

MacDonell, H.L. An Amazing Microscope, IABPA NEWS, Vol. 26, No. 1, March 2010

Appendix 1: Stain measurement data used in the current study.

Circular (Manual) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
DM UltraLoupe (mm) 0.39 1.42 1.60 0.60 0.78 0.86 0.90 0.40 0.38 0.38 0.44 0.36 0.44 1.18 0.40 1.80 1.20 2.06 0.90 1.38 0.60 0.32 0.60 1.38 0.78
SJ Loupe (mm) 0.42 1.50 1.60 0.60 0.75 0.90 0.90 0.50 0.35 0.40 0.50 0.30 0.50 1.10 0.40 1.85 1.20 2.10 0.90 1.50 0.60 0.35 0.70 1.45 0.80
Range (mm) 0.03 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.04 0.00 0.10 0.03 0.02 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.12 0.00 0.03 0.10 0.07 0.02
Mean (mm) 0.41 1.46 1.60 0.60 0.77 0.88 0.90 0.45 0.37 0.39 0.47 0.33 0.47 1.14 0.40 1.83 1.20 2.08 0.90 1.44 0.60 0.34 0.65 1.42 0.79
Circular (Digital) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
DM Low (mm) 0.40 1.43 1.59 0.62 0.75 0.88 0.94 0.48 0.35 0.36 0.48 0.33 0.48 1.19 0.42 1.82 1.24 2.00 0.88 1.43 0.64 0.34 0.65 1.40 0.80
DM High (mm) 0.40 1.49 1.62 0.61 0.78 0.90 0.93 0.47 0.36 0.37 0.47 0.32 0.48 1.14 0.41 1.82 1.23 2.04 0.98 1.42 0.62 0.36 0.66 1.45 0.80
SJ Low (mm) 0.43 1.43 1.58 0.67 0.74 0.92 0.94 0.52 0.35 0.41 0.48 0.33 0.49 1.13 0.41 1.82 1.21 2.13 0.93 1.46 0.61 0.33 0.69 1.44 0.81
SJ High (mm) 0.43 1.48 1.63 0.63 0.76 0.93 0.92 0.50 0.37 0.39 0.46 0.33 0.48 1.15 0.41 1.86 1.23 2.11 0.90 1.45 0.63 0.35 0.67 1.45 0.80
Range (mm) 0.03 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.06 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.13 0.10 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.01
Mean (mm) 0.42 1.46 1.61 0.63 0.76 0.91 0.93 0.49 0.36 0.38 0.47 0.33 0.48 1.15 0.41 1.83 1.23 2.07 0.92 1.44 0.63 0.35 0.67 1.44 0.80
Elongated Width (Manual) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
DM UltraLoupe (mm) 0.80 1.00 0.70 0.68 0.56 0.94 0.40 0.90 0.82 0.40 0.38 0.70 0.78 1.02 0.50 0.70 0.86 0.82 0.80 1.18 0.60 0.76 0.64 0.82 0.62
SJ Loupe (mm) 0.81 1.10 0.72 0.78 0.60 1.00 0.40 0.95 0.85 0.40 0.40 0.70 0.85 1.00 0.60 0.70 0.90 0.85 0.90 1.15 0.60 0.75 0.70 0.90 0.62
Range (mm) 0.01 0.10 0.02 0.10 0.04 0.06 0.00 0.05 0.03 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07 0.02 0.10 0.00 0.04 0.03 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.01 0.06 0.08 0.00
Mean (mm) 0.81 1.05 0.71 0.73 0.58 0.97 0.40 0.93 0.84 0.40 0.39 0.70 0.82 1.01 0.55 0.70 0.88 0.84 0.85 1.17 0.60 0.76 0.67 0.86 0.62
Elonagted Width (Digital) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
DM Low (mm) 0.82 1.05 0.72 0.69 0.55 0.97 0.43 0.92 0.81 0.45 0.42 0.70 0.76 1.02 0.56 0.71 0.89 0.84 0.84 1.15 0.62 0.73 0.67 0.88 0.65
DM High (mm) 0.83 1.08 0.73 0.72 0.57 1.01 0.44 0.95 0.83 0.46 0.42 0.72 0.81 1.01 0.56 0.70 0.89 0.86 0.84 1.17 0.62 0.76 0.65 0.88 0.66
SJ Low (mm) 0.81 1.11 0.75 0.76 0.58 1.05 0.45 1.00 0.86 0.49 0.44 0.76 0.85 1.01 0.58 0.71 0.92 0.89 0.88 1.18 0.63 0.75 0.65 0.91 0.66
SJ High (mm) 0.83 1.11 0.73 0.75 0.60 1.03 0.46 0.98 0.87 0.48 0.45 0.74 0.84 1.01 0.59 0.71 0.93 0.91 0.86 1.20 0.65 0.77 0.68 0.93 0.68
Range (mm) 0.02 0.06 0.03 0.07 0.05 0.08 0.03 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.03
Mean (mm) 0.82 1.09 0.73 0.73 0.58 1.02 0.45 0.96 0.84 0.47 0.43 0.73 0.82 1.01 0.57 0.71 0.91 0.88 0.86 1.18 0.63 0.75 0.66 0.90 0.66
Elongated Length (Manual) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
DM UltraLoupe (mm) 1.30 1.80 1.20 1.30 1.00 1.80 0.70 1.80 1.60 0.80 0.90 1.10 1.60 1.80 1.20 1.24 1.80 2.10 1.30 2.20 1.70 1.50 1.70 1.80 1.10
SJ Loupe (mm) 1.40 1.82 1.20 1.40 0.80 1.75 0.70 1.60 1.50 0.75 0.75 1.20 1.50 1.70 1.10 1.20 1.55 2.00 1.40 2.20 1.60 1.50 1.55 1.80 1.15
Range (mm) 0.10 0.02 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.05 0.00 0.20 0.10 0.05 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.04 0.25 0.10 0.10 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.05
Mean (mm) 1.35 1.81 1.20 1.35 0.90 1.78 0.70 1.70 1.55 0.78 0.83 1.15 1.55 1.75 1.15 1.22 1.68 2.05 1.35 2.20 1.65 1.50 1.63 1.80 1.13
Elongated Length (Digital) 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
DM Low (mm) 1.29 1.89 1.17 1.35 0.99 1.76 0.66 1.79 1.62 0.85 0.89 1.15 1.57 1.75 1.24 1.26 1.78 2.11 1.32 2.14 1.69 1.54 1.70 1.92 1.18
DM High (mm) 1.24 1.89 1.22 1.37 1.02 1.85 0.70 1.75 1.56 0.84 0.89 1.18 1.67 1.80 1.25 1.28 1.79 2.16 1.38 2.14 1.70 1.56 1.73 1.90 1.20
SJ Low (mm) 1.34 1.78 1.22 1.32 0.99 1.84 0.72 1.58 1.47 0.84 0.78 1.26 1.57 1.81 1.21 1.14 1.61 2.03 1.31 2.09 1.60 1.38 1.55 1.81 1.10
SJ High (mm) 1.34 1.78 1.21 1.31 1.00 1.87 0.70 1.62 1.51 0.83 0.80 1.29 1.60 1.79 1.24 1.18 1.59 2.02 1.35 2.11 1.63 1.44 1.57 1.84 1.16
Range (mm) 0.10 0.11 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.11 0.06 0.21 0.15 0.02 0.11 0.14 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.14 0.20 0.14 0.07 0.05 0.10 0.18 0.18 0.11 0.10
Mean (mm) 1.30 1.84 1.21 1.34 1.00 1.83 0.70 1.69 1.54 0.84 0.84 1.22 1.60 1.79 1.24 1.22 1.69 2.08 1.34 2.12 1.66 1.48 1.64 1.87 1.16


2011 IABPA ANNUAL TRAINING
CONFERENCE
October 3- 7, 2011
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

IABPA Conference Registration: $350.00
IABPA Late Registration $375.00After August 30, 2011

Hotel Registration CUT-OFF DATE IS: August 30, 2011
Hotel room rates after August 30
th
increase by $50 per day

PLEASE CHECK THE IABPA WEB SITE FOR CONSTANT UPDATES. CONFERENCE AGENDA TO
BE POSTED SOON!

Registration is Open

Welcome to the 2011 IABPA Conference! The Conference will be held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from October 3 - 7, 2011. You can book your reservation several ways by the
link provided or by calling the hotel's reservation lines. Be sure to book your rooms early; we have a
block of rooms set aside, and when booking reservations by phone, please use the reservation code
IABPA.

Conference Site Hotel Information:

Hyatt Regency Milwaukee Tel: 800-233-1234
333 West Kilbourn Avenue You must specify that you are attending the
Milwaukee, WI, USA 53203 International Assoc of Bloodstain Pattern Analyst
Phone: 1-414-276-1234 Conference to be guaranteed the discounted rate.
Fax: 1-414-276-6338
www.milwaukeehyatt.com Check-in 3:00pm Check-out: 12:00pm

The 2011 Conference Committee has secured a room rate of only $95* per night plus tax for this Four
Star Hotel! Your credit card will not be charged upon making a reservation. You will be charged upon
check-in (3pm), or if you fail to cancel your room in a timely manner.

Note: A credit card must be presented upon check-in to enable you to charge to their guest room. If you
do not present a credit card, you will not be permitted to charge to your room.

Note: * The prevailing government rate is $95 right now. We will not know the official rate until the per
diem rate comes out for 2011. Reservations will be booked at the current government rate and then
changed either up or down when the new per diem rate is announced in September. The rate goes into
effect October 1
st
.

Hotel Cancellation Policy: Individual cancellations must be received at least 72 hours prior to arrival or
the individual guest will be subject to charges for the first nights room and tax charge.

The Hyatt Regency facility is a full service, first class Resort and Spa that offers outstanding recreational
opportunities see the website for specifics.

Parking:

Hyatt Regency Milwaukee Valet parking at the rate of $15 per night (Including in/out privileges) is
available at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Self-parking is available at the rate of $20 per night.

Transportation: is the responsibility of the attendee.

Milwaukee Countys International Airport
5300 South Howell Avenue
Milwaukee Wisconsin USA 53207
Ph: 414-747-5300
E-mail: info@mitchelairport.com

TO/FROM our Milwaukee airport:

Airport Connection cost $13 per person each way or $24 roundtrip.
Reservations only! Please call 414/769-2451 or 1-800-236-5450 to make reservations.
Contact the concierge or bell staff for transportation from our Milwaukee, Wisconsin airport hotel to the
airport.

Taxi: Approximately $25.00 Trip distance: 9.56 miles Time: 16 minutes.

Speaker InformationTHERE ARE STILL A FEW OPENINGS FOR SPEAKERS--
All 2011 IABPA Conference speakers should check in at the speaker registration desk on the second
floor during conference registration hours to pick up their name badges and conference materials.

Monday, October 3: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Tuesday, October 4: 7:00am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday, October 5: 7:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday, October 6: 7:00am - 4:30 pm
Friday, October 7: 7:00am - Noon

Lecture sessions and interactive workshops - Learn the latest from experts in the field - Hear from
experienced keynote speakers - Participate in interactive Wednesday night Case Study discussions -
Network and learn from other people in your field

Meals: A continental breakfast and an afternoon snack will be provided daily. If additional meals are
scheduled (i.e. Luncheon) they will be posted here at a later date. Please check back for additional
information. Numerous restaurants are within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee

For more information, please contact:
Todd Thorne, President
1000 55
th
Street
Kenosha, WI USA 53140
1-262-605-5246
E-mail: tat232@kenoshapolice.com


Update on BPA Activities in Turkey

Dr. Faruk Asicioglu, MD, PhD, forensic medicine specialist and medical biologist in Istanbul,
Turkey gave a Bloodstain Pattern Analysis presentation and workshop on October 25
th
, 2010 as
part of the continuing medical education program of Gian Sagar University Medical College in
Patiala City, Punjab, India. Dr. Asicioglu is also the Chairman 5
th
Committee of the Council of
Forensic Medicine in Turkey. A PowerPoint of his presentation and a video of the conference
can be viewed at the website of Abgeder Forensic Biology, Forensic Genetics and Gene Law
Society, http://en.abgeder.org.

Dr. Faruk Asicioglu, MD, PhD on left with British geneticist Sir Alec
Jeffreys at the conference in India.


SWGSTAIN UPDATE

SWGSTAIN has approved the "Guidelines for Proficiency Testing in Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis." This and other SWGSTAIN guidance documents are available at
http://www.swgstain.org/resources. SWGSTAIN has published a draft of "Guidelines for the
Validation of New Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis" for public comment and review.
This document is available for review at http://www.swgstain.org/subcommittees/sub-legal.
Please address any feedback or constructive criticism to Jeff Gurvis, Chair of the Legal
Subcommittee at gunis77@aol.com by March 7, 2011.

David P. Baldwin
Chair, Scientific Working Group on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
130 Spedding Hall, Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
(515)294-2069, Fax -4748
chair@swgstain.org

Abstracts of Recent Articles in the Scientific Literature

Au, C., Jackson-Smith, H., Quinones, I., Jones, B.J., and Daniel, B., Wet Powder Suspensions as
an Additional Technique for the Enhancement of Bloody Marks, Forensic Science International,
Volume 204, Issue 1, January 2011, pp. 13-18.

Abstract:
The enhancement of marks in blood on dark surfaces poses significant challenges to the forensic scientist. Current
methods of enhancements include the sequential use of acid dyes (acid yellow, acid violet and acid black). Acid
yellow is used to greatest effect on lighter deposits of blood on a non-porous background and is visualized using a
light source which causes it to fluoresce [1]. However, further enhancement with acid violet and acid black produces
a dark product which may fail to improve the contrast of the mark against a dark background.
The use of wet powder suspensions (WPSs) has been proposed as a complimentary procedure for use in finger
mark enhancement beyond its typical use in the enhancement of marks on adhesive surfaces. In this investigation,
the use of WPS was tested in conjunction with conventional dye treatments on marks in blood deposited on a
selection of substrates. The results demonstrated that white WPS alone or together with acid dyes results in an
overall enhancement of mark quality (p<0.005) on marks deposited on smooth, non-porous surfaces.
The technique was shown not to interfere with subsequent presumptive tests on blood. However, WPS treatments
were shown to reduce the amount of DNA recoverable from the marks, resulting on an average decrease of 91%
compared to untreated controls. The decline in DNA yields was shown to result in a decrease in the quality of the
DNA profiles obtained.
The enhancement properties of WPS were evaluated by electron microscopy. It was shown that the titanium
dioxide particles in the WPS primarily interact with the non-bloodied part of the mark, thus producing a contrasting
effect with the background and acid dyes.


Denison, D., Porter, A., Mills, M., and Schroter, R.C. Forensic Implications of Respiratory
Derived Blood Spatter Distributions, Forensic Science International, Volume 204, Issue 1,
January 2011 pp. 144-155.

Abstract:
The nature of blood aerosols produced in physiological studies of an upright subject expiring small volumes
through straws, spitting and mouthing sounds, and a semi-prone subject spitting through a bloody mouth or snorting
through a single nasal orifice and by a simplified physical model of the respiratory system were investigated. Each
manoeuvre produced many hundreds of droplets of a range of size, the vast majority being less than 1 mm diameter.
Droplets under 1mm dia. Travelled over 1 m much further than could be expected if their flight was ballistic like
that of impact spatter. Respired blood aerosol properties are explained in terms of established mechanics of airflow
shear, induced aerosol production and the fluid mechanics of exhaled air movement.

Striman, B., Fujikawa, A., Barksdale, L., and Carter, D.O., Alteration of Expirated Bloodstain
Patterns by Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera Calliphoridae) Through Ingestion
and Deposition of Artifacts, J. Forensic Sci., January 2011, Vol. 56, No. S1

Abstract:
Bloodstain pattern analysis can provide insight into a sequence of events associated with a violent crime.
However, bloodstain pattern analysis can be confounded by the feeding activities of blow flies. We conducted two
laboratory experiments to investigate the relationships between Lucilia sericata (Green bottle fly) and the
Calliphora vicina (blue bottle fly), expirated bloodstains and pooled bloodstains on a range of surfaces (linoleum,
wallpaper, textured paint). C. vicina and L. sericata changed bloodstain pattern morphology through feeding and
defecation. They also deposited artifacts in rooms where blood was not present originally. Chemically presumptive
tests (Hemastix, phenolphthalein, leucocrystal violet, fluorescein) were not able to differentiate between insect
artifacts and bloodstains. Thus, C. vicina and L. sericata can confound bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene
investigation, and reconstruction. Crime scene investigators should be aware of these fundamental behaviors and the
effects that blow flies can have on expirated and pooled bloodstain patterns.


Organizational Notices

Moving Soon?

All changes of mailing address need to be supplied to our Secretary Norman Reeves. Each quarter
Norman forwards completed address labels for those who are members. Do not send change of address
information to the Bloodstain Digest Editor. E-mail your new address to Norman Reeves at:

norman@bloody1.com
Norman Reeves
I.A.B.P.A.
12139 E. Makohoh Trail
Tucson, Arizona 85749-8179
Fax: 520-760-5590

Membership Applications / Request for Promotion

Applications for membership as well as for promotion are available on the IABPA website:
IABPA Website: http://www.iabpa.org

The fees for application of membership and yearly dues are $40.00 US each. If you have not
received a dues invoice for 2011 please contact Norman Reeves. Apparently, non US credit cards
are charging a fee above and beyond the $ 40.00 membership/application fee. Your credit
card is charged only $40.00 US by the IABPA. Any additional fees are imposed by the
credit card companies.

IABPA now accepts the following credit cards:

Discover MasterCard
American Express Visa


Training Opportunities

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

March 7-11, 2011
Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Workshop

Presented by the Specialized Training Unit at the Miami-Dade Safety Training Institute,
Doral, Florida

Contact: Toby L. Wolson, M.S., F-ABC
Forensic Services Bureau
9105 N.W. 25
th
Street
Doral, Florida 33172
Voice: 305-471-3041
Fax: 305-471-2052
E-mail: Twolson@mdpd.com
___________________________________________________________________________

March 21-25, 2011
Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course
Usingen, Germany
(English)
For further information contact:
Dr. Silke Brodbeck, MD
Blutspureninstitut
Obergasse 20
61250 Usingen
Germany
Tel: +49-170-84 84 248
Fax: +49-6081-14879
E-mail: info@blutspureninstitut.com

______________________________________________________________________________

March 23-April 1, 2011

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, Wisconsin

Instructor: Paul E. Kish
Contact: Dan Feucht
E-mail: feucht@fvtc.edu

______________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________

May 2-6 2011
Usingen, Germany
(German)

Blutspureninstitut
Obergasse 20
61250 Usingen
Germany
Tel: +49-170-84 84 248
Fax: +49-6081-14879

______________________________________________________________________________

May 2-6, 2011
Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Norman, Oklahoma

Instructors: Tom Bevel and Craig Gravel
Contact: Craig Gravel, Training Coordinator
Tel: 405-706-8489
E-mail: rcgravel@aol.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

June 6-10, 2011
Visualization of Latent Bloodstains Course
Elmira College
Elmira, New York

Instructors: Paul Erwin Kish and Martin Eversdijk
Contact: Paul Erwin Kish
Tel: 607-962-8092
E-mail: paul@paulkish.com
www.paulkish.com
__________________________________________________________________________


__________________________________________________________________________

June 13-17, 2011
Visualization of Latent Bloodstains Course
Elmira College
Elmira, New York

Instructors: Paul Erwin Kish and Martin Eversdijk
Contact: Paul Erwin Kish
Tel: 607-962-8092
www.paulkish.com

______________________________________________________________________________

June 13-17, 2011
Basic Bloodstain Pattern Program
Bloodstain Evidence Institute
Contact: Herbert Leon MacDonell, Director
Post Office Box 1111
Corning, New York 14830
Tel: 607962-6581
E-mail: forensiclab@stny.rr.com

____________________________________________________________________________

September 19-23, 2011
Basic Bloodstain Pattern Program
Bloodstain Evidence Institute
Contact: Herbert Leon MacDonell, Director
Post Office Box 1111
Corning, New York 14830
Tel: 607962-6581
E-mail: forensiclab@stny.rr.com
___________________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________

August 29 September 2, 2011
Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Course
Usingen, Germany
(English)

Blutspureninstitut
Obergasse 20
61250 Usingen
Germany
Tel: +49-170-84 84 248
Fax: +49-6081-14879

______________________________________________________________________________

Boone County Sheriffs Department
Burlington, Kentucky

Instructors: Paul E. Kish
Stuart H. James

Contact: Paul E. Kish
Forensic Consultant and Associates
Tel: 607-962-8092
www.paulkish.com

___________________________________________________________________________

Usingen, Germany
(German)

Blutspureninstitut
Obergasse 20
61250 Usingen
Germany
Tel: +49-170-84 84 248
Fax: +49-6081-14879

______________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________

December 5-9, 2011
Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Workshop

Presented by the Specialized Training Unit at the Miami-Dade Safety Training Institute,
Doral, Florida

Contact: Toby L. Wolson, M.S., F-ABC
Forensic Services Bureau
9105 N.W. 25
th
Street
Doral, Florida 33172
Voice: 305-471-3041
Fax: 305-471-2052
E-mail: Twolson@mdpd.com

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Articles and training announcements for the J une 2011 issue of the J ournal of Bloodstain
Pattern Analysis must be received before May 15th, 2011


Editors Corner

It has been twenty-six years since the first issue of the IABPA News was published in 1985.
The first Editor of our publication was Anita Wonder. Since my tenure as Editor since 2004, I
have frequently expressed an interest in upgrading the stature of the IABPA NEWS to a Journal.
Many discussions were held with Associate Editors as to whether the limited number of research
articles and case reports published in the past would substantiate the change to Journal status. It
was decided that it was time for a change. The proposal was submitted to the Board and the vote
was affirmative. The time has arrived and we now have the Journal of Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis The Official Publication of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis. The new cover was designed by Carolyn Gannett. You will see that Vol. 27, No.1 is a
continuation of the sequence of the issues of the former IABPA NEWS rather than starting with
Vol. 1, No.1 We as an organization now have the responsibility of maintaining the quality of our
new publication by members demonstrating a renewed interest in submitting articles for peer
review and publication.
The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis will still publish IABPA membership information
and training opportunities. President Todd Thorne has requested that the Chairs of the
Committees submit quarterly reports by May 15
th
, August 15
th
and November 15th for
publication in the upcoming issues.

Stuart H. James
Editor
jamesforen@aol.com

IABPA NEWS Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
June 1985 March 2011


Past Presidents of the IABPA

V. Thomas Bevel 1983-1984
Charles Edel 1985-1987
Warren R. Darby 1988
Rod D. Englert 1989-1990
Edward Podworny 1991-1992
Tom J. Griffin 1993-1994
Toby L. Wolson, M.S. 1995-1996
Daniel V. Christman 1997-1998
Phyllis T. Rollan 1999-2000
Daniel Rahn 2001-2002
Bill Basso 2002-2006
LeeAnn Singley 2007-2008

Associate Editors

Barton P. Epstein
Carolyn Gannett
Paul E. Kish
Daniel Mabel
Jon J. Nordby
Joseph Slemko
Robert P. Spalding
T. Paulette Sutton
Todd A. Thorne

The Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. 2011. The International
Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

March 2011 Jbpa

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