Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (5-Day)

Dates: June 1–5, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Who May Attend

Police, Fire, Corrections, and Laboratory personnel

Overview

Designed for professionals who may be involved in conducting bloodstain pattern analysis, this 40-hour basic-level course focuses on the documentation and recognition of bloodstain pattern features. Participants will receive an introduction to fluid dynamics concepts as they relate to bloodstains, then learn a bottom-up, feature-based approach to analyzing bloodstain patterns. Instruction covers pattern evaluation and elimination, as well as using case context to determine the mechanism(s) that may have produced each pattern.

Course Topics

• Principles and theory behind bloodstain pattern formation

• Liquid blood behavior under certain conditions

• Liquid blood behavior on specific surfaces

• Defining bloodstains

• Documentation types and techniques

• Mathematical principles

Practical Exercises

• Crime scene walkthrough

• Bloodstain pattern recognition

• Bloodstain documentation

• Interpretation and findings

Required Materials

It is required to bring a camera (preferably a DSLR digital camera).

Topics and the order of instruction may be subject to change at any time.