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Preliminary Study on the Effect of Heated Surfaces Upon Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

NCJ Number
246199
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2013 Pages: 1289-1296
Author(s)
Bethany A. J. Larkin; Craig E. Banks Ph.D.
Date Published
September 2013
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Bloodstain pattern analysis BPA involves the interpretation of distinct blood patterns found at crime scenes following a violent act.
Abstract
Bloodstain pattern analysis BPA involves the interpretation of distinct blood patterns found at crime scenes following a violent act. In this paper, we explored for the first time the effects of surface temperatures upon blood impacting a horizontal surface steel with its implications in BPA explored. Specific surface temperatures were explored over the range 24-250 degrees C which relate to the four major boiling regimes of liquid media; natural convection, nucleate boiling, transition boiling, and film boiling, where a series of blood drops tests were performed at varying impact velocities. Blood was found to separate into its components at temperatures of 50 degrees C+, displayed as temperature induced blood rings, where a single secondary and a series of further inner rings are exhibited. This consequently led to the development of a new constant expressing the decrease in spread factor Ds/Do at the secondary ring. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.