Blood Spatter Analysis

Forensic Science Event

Updated on April 1st, 2023

Competitors will determine a point of origin for a bloodstain using direction, angle of impact, trajectory, and stringing. The event will be timed and evaluated according to event guidelines. The purpose of Blood Spatter Analysis event is to encourage criminal justice students to demonstrate their ability to properly analyze blood stain patterns based on source, direction, angle of impact, and trajectory.

Team Size/Limit Information

Dress Code

Competitors shall wear one of the following uniform types; a uniform consistent with current standards in law enforcement patrol (no duty belt), lab coats (matching; slacks, shirt, shoes (no tennis shoes unless solid black) ), or matching jumpsuits/ Tyvek suits.

Materials

Competitors are required to provide the following materials for the duration of the competitive event. No additional materials may be used that are not in the material list.

• Photo Identification qt. 1

  Reference https://tpsa.info/policies for more information

• String qt. 1

  optional

• Scissors qt. 1

  optional

• Tape qt. 1

  optional

• Object to affix strings to qt. 1

  optional

• Lasers qt. 1

  optional

• Spray for visualizing lasers qt. 1

  optional

• Calculator qt. 1

  (no phones or tablets may be used as a calculator)

• Writing Utensil qt. 1
• Gloves qt. 1
• Protractor/ Tool for angle measurements qt. 1

Policies

• Competitors in this event must be active members of the Texas Public Safety Association and in good standing with the Texas Public Safety Association.
• Competitors must be familiar with and adhere to the Texas Public Safety Association Bylaws and Code of Conduct.
• Plagiarism, copyright violation and falsification of information are prohibited. Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage will not be tolerated. Violation of the code of conduct or bylaws will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
• The scenario is a secret topic. Professional ethics demand that competitors DO NOT discuss or reveal the secret topic until after the event has concluded. Violation of the ethics rules will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
• Instructions: 2 minutes
• Completion of Analysis: 30 Minutes
• Total Event Time: 32 minutes

Procedures

1. Competitor(s)/Team(s) will report to their respective event when called for or at a set reporting time.
2. Competitor(s)/Team(s) must check in with event management upon arrival and present photo identification for verification.
3. Each team will be directed (by room moderator) to a simulated crime scene which includes a significant blood spatter pattern.
   1. To provide a consistent and equal opportunity for all competitors, each team shall utilize the same simulated crime scene and blood spatter pattern.
4. The room moderator shall read the instructions and answer any questions not directly related to the crime scene/spatter pattern or analysis.
5. The moderator will set a timer for 30 minutes.
6. When the moderator starts the timer and calls “start”, the team will:
   1. Locate the spatter pattern and use strings/lasers to reconstruct the point of origin by: Calculating angle of impact, Direction, and Trajectory
7. The moderator will call “time” when the 30 minute timer sounds. All competitors must place their hands in the air and back away from the crime scene if not finished.
8. The judge shall check “DNF” on the scoring rubric if a team has not submitted results at “time”.

Staff Instructions

People

• Judgeqt. 2
• Moderatorqt. 1
• Moderatorqt. 1

Space/Location/Rooms

• Large Area Indoor

  Mock crime scene with significant blood spatter pattern. Classroom or flex area large enough to accommodate competitors and crime scene.

Supplies

• Blood Spatter qt. 1
• Rubric/Score Sheets qt. 1
• Writing Utensil qt. 1
• Timer qt. 1