Use of HemoSpat to Include Bloodstains Located on Nonorthogonal Surfaces in Area-of Origin Calculations

• NCJ Number: 228233
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 59 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2009 Pages: 513-524
• Author(s): Kevin Maloney; Jim Killeen; Andy Maloney
• Date Published: October 2009
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the use of forensic software in area-of-origin calculations for crime scenes using nonorthogonal surfaces.

Abstract

The use of forensic software in the area-of-origin calculations using nonorthogonal surfaces was found to greatly assist the bloodstain pattern analyst. The task of analyzing bloodstains on nonorthogonal surfaces was made easier by using the HemoSpat software, allowing the analyst to remove objects from the scene, analyze them in a controlled and safe environment, and incorporate the data in an area-of-origin calculation. Forensic software offers an efficient method to assist the bloodstain pattern analyst with area-of-origin calculations for impact patterns. This study showed the use of nonorthogonal surfaces in conjunction with standard room surfaces in an area-of-origin calculation using HemoSpat, commercial software for impact pattern analysis. Figures, tables, and references