Analytical Solutions
Blood Pattern Analysis

Blood pattern analysis can provide crucial information about the sequence of events in a violent crime. This type of evidence was first used in court about 50 years ago, but more recently its potential has been recognised as a vital element in forensic investigation.

FSS has worked intensively in the field of blood pattern analysis since the mid-1990s and today operates a large, dedicated team of experts working within all six of its laboratories nationwide. Together they provide an unmatched body of experience, providing accurate, thorough and speedy delivery of reports.

Their skills assist investigation in a wide range of scenarios, from simple assault to shootings, manslaughter and murder. Their work can also help identify where a person has lost blood through a medical condition or an accidental or self-inflicted injury.

The skill of the analyst can help determine a wide range of factors at a crime scene. Interpreting the blood patterns can reveal the relative positions of the people involved, the degree of force used and the angle of an attack. It is also possible to differentiate between the marks left by blood produced through natural causes and that from wounding.

The analyst’s key tools are the trained human eye, a fundamental understanding of the physical properties and behaviour of blood and a store of knowledge accumulated through experience. Computer analysis provides a degree of assistance, but the personal skills of the analyst remain paramount.

At the scene of a crime they can provide a reasoned and informed assessment of what has happened on the spot. Prompt delivery of intelligence like this can be vital to successful crime detection, supported by subsequent laboratory work to fine-tune the scene-of-crime analysis.

Blood pattern analysis can also help give a tighter focus to other areas of forensic investigation. For example it can identify bloodstains that are most suitable for DNA testing in a particular crime investigation, reducing the number of samples that need to be taken. This joined-up approach contributes to greater efficiency of research and reduced costs to the customer.

FSS operates a detailed training programme to ensure its specialists gain and maintain a high level of interpretative and reporting skills. The introductory course is theory-based, dealing with previous casework and recreating a wide range of scenarios for analysis in a controlled laboratory environment.

This is followed by a period of mentoring on-site until the analyst is considered to be sufficiently qualified for crime scene reporting. A minimum two years’ reporting work is required before qualifying for an advanced course to further sharpen subject knowledge and interpreting skills.

FSS is recognised internationally for the quality of its blood pattern analysis and has provided training input for services in other countries. It works to the standards recommended by the International Association of Blood Pattern Analysts for reporting in court of law.