Development of an application method for a zone stain selection model in bloodstain pattern analysis

In this paper, we establish an impact pattern scene application method based on a zone stain selection model. This model had been developed within previous research and found to be relevant for improving accuracy for calculating an area of origin estimate. This theoretical model was tested as a method of training bloodstain analysts on how to select stains, and those data were compared with our scene application method. Several impact patterns were created within a laboratory environment and individual stains were selected according to rules of the theoretical model for both methods. The method includes the use of an overlay template that is placed on a computerized image of the end view of the pattern. A statistical analysis established that there was no significant difference between the theoretical model and the scene application method, indicating this method can be applied in crime scene analysis.