Bloodstain Pattern Identification Subcommittee

Discipline Overview: 

The roots of modern bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) are in 19^th century Europe.  It was during the 19^th century that scientists first noticed blood deposits at crime scenes may be useful for investigations. Eduard Piotrowski published the earliest known study of bloodstains in 1895 based on his research examining blood spattered from head injuries.  In 1956, Dr. Paul Kirk submitted a sworn statement concerning his research and interpretation of the bloodstain patterns at a homicide scene in the case of the State of Ohio v. Samuel Sheppard.  This was the first use of BPA in in the American justice system.  Since that time interest and research into the scientific basis for BPA has mushroomed.  Modern BPA requires extensive training coupled with experience to achieve competency at providing interpretations and opinions concerning bloodstain patterns resulting from injuries.  The modern bloodstain pattern analyst examines the bloodstain evidence and provides expert opinions on pattern classification, the activities, and movements that may have produced those patterns.  This information may then be used by the  investigators, attorneys, and courts to further their investigations in the pursuit of justice.

Bloodstain Pattern Identification Subcommittee Chair

Toby L. Wolson, MS, CBPA, ABC-MBT, FL USA
Toby.Wolson@gmail.com

Qualifications:

The qualifications and training requirements for becoming a bloodstain pattern analyst can be found in “ANSI/ASB Standard 032, 1^st Edition (2020): Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program.”  The standard is detailed guidance providing the minimum level of education required for training as a BPA and the coursework, procedures, and steps needed to do casework and qualify as an expert.

Certification:

Certification Page

Standards:

BPA standards, technical reports, and guidelines are issued by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Academy Standards Board (ASB).  There are currently 7 standards and 1 technical report published by the ASB.  These standards and technical reports provide guidance on training, terminology, quality assurance, validation report writing, writing of standard operating procedures (SOP), and components of a proficiency testing program.  The ASB BPA Consensus Body is currently working on the development of additional standards concerning technical review of BPA casework, development of a BPA certification program, and BPA methodology.  The ASB BPA Consensus Body is also working on updates (2^nd editions) of the training and QA standards for BPA.  Many of the documents developed or under development at by ASB have been provided by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee.  A complete list of the OSAC BPA Subcommittee’s work product can be found on their website.   

Resources:

For more information about Bloodstain Pattern Analysis:

BPA Texts:

• Handbook of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, 1^st Edition (2024), CRC Press
• Bloodstain Pattern Analysis with an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction (Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations),4th Edition (2025) CRC Press
• A Visual Guide to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis for Death and Crime Scene Investigators (2022), Independently published
• Blood Traces: Interpretation of Deposition and Distribution, 1st Edition (2021), Wiley
• Principles of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Theory and Practice (CRC in Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations), 1st Edition (2005), CRC Press
• Scientific and Legal Applications of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation, 1^st Edition, CRC Press

Informational Websites:

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
• Academy Standards Board: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Consensus Body
• International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA)
• Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC)
• OSAC Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee

Journals that Publish BPA Articles:

• Forensic Science International
• Forensic Science International: Synergy
• Journal of Forensic Identification (IAI)
• Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (IABPA)
• Journal of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
• Science and Justice

BPA Literature:

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Bibliography

BPA Research and Development Needs:

OSAC Research and Development Needs