CAREER Profile
Blood spatter analysts provide an extremely important service in specific areas of law enforcement, particularly those departments that deal with homicide and violent crime. Although the term ‘blood spatter’ may evoke some provocative images, blood spatter analysis is a specialty rooted in details, sometimes involving very little blood at all.
Forensic science technicians, blood stain pattern analysts' primary purpose is the collection and analysis of physical evidence, in this case blood. Specifically, bloodstain pattern analysts examine the location and shape of blood drops, stains, puddles and pools.
Often called blood splatter or blood spatter experts, these crime scene technicians are called to often gruesome scenes to gather crucial evidence regarding violent crimes.
Bloodstain pattern analysts use their expertise to determine:
This information can help detectives and investigators determine what type of crime they are dealing with and provide vital information for successful prosecution.
Often called blood splatter or blood spatter experts, these crime scene technicians are called to often gruesome scenes to gather crucial evidence regarding violent crimes.
Bloodstain pattern analysts use their expertise to determine:
- The type of weapon used
- The direction of travel of a victim or suspect
- The trajectory of a projectile
- The number of wounds a victim may have suffered
- How events unfolded during a violent crime
This information can help detectives and investigators determine what type of crime they are dealing with and provide vital information for successful prosecution.
Daily Tasks
Bloodstain pattern analysts examine blood that is left behind at crime scenes in whatever quantity. It could be a trace amount in the form of a trail or print, or it could involve a large loss of blood. An analyst uses several different techniques to collect the evidence from the scene for later processing at a lab.
The job of a bloodstain patter analyst often includes:
- Responding to crime scenes
- Interacting with bio hazardous material (blood and body fluids)
- Taking photographs
- Collecting samples
- Writing reports
- Testifying in court