Bloodstain classification methods: A critical review and a look to the future

Hook, Emma; Fieldhouse, Sarah; Flatman-Fairs, David; Williams, Graham

Abstract

Classifying bloodstains is an essential part of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Various experts have developed methods. Each method considers the same basic bloodstain pattern types. These use either terminology based on the observable characteristics or the mechanistic cause of the bloodstains as part of the classification process. This review paper considers ten classification methods from fourteen sources, which are used to classify bloodstain patterns. There are fundamental differences in how the bloodstains are classified, how differentiated the classification is, and whether the classification process uses clear, unambiguous criteria, and is susceptible to contextual bias. Experts have also reported issues with classifying bloodstains that have indistinguishable features. These differences expose key limitations with current classification methods: mechanistic terminology is too heavily relied on, and the classification process is susceptible to contextual bias. The development of an unambiguous classification method, based on directly observable characteristics within bloodstain patterns is recommended for future work.

Citation

Hook, E., Fieldhouse, S., Flatman-Fairs, D., & Williams, G. (2024). Bloodstain classification methods: A critical review and a look to the future. Science & justice : journal of the Forensic Science Society, 64(4), 408-420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 18, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jun 21, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2024
• Journal: Science & Justice
• Print ISSN: 1355-0306
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 408-420
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.004
• Keywords: Bloodstain pattern analysis; Classification; Mechanistic; Pattern characteristics; Blood spatter; Forensic science
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4718022