Exploring the role of contextual information in bloodstain pattern analysis: A qualitative approach

Osborne, Nikola K.P.; Taylor, Michael; Zajac, Rachel

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.12.039

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Such a procedure will likely include information triage—where contextual information is screened to determine its reliability—and thorough documentation of any use made of contextual information to inform an analyst's final opinion. Further investigations (see ) into the specific conditions under which analysts are vulnerable to contextual bias, and the types of contextual information that are especially biasing, will help to inform the safe use of contextual information in BPA. Until such a procedure is properly validated, analysts would be wise to restrict access to contextual information to help minimize the potential for bias in their decision‐making.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces^,

Taylor

Laber²,

Kish

et al. 2016

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This study was designed to produce the first baseline measure of the reliability of bloodstain pattern classifications on fabric surfaces. Experienced bloodstain pattern analysts classified bloodstain patterns on pairs of trousers that represented three fabric substrates. Patterns also varied in type (impact, cast-off, expiration, satellite stains from dripped blood, and transfer) and extent. In addition, case summaries that accompanied each pattern contained contextual cues that either supported the correct answer (i.e., positive bias), were misleading toward an incorrect answer (i.e., negative bias), or contained no directional information (i.e., neutral). Overall, 23% percent of the resulting classifications were erroneous. The majority (51%) of errors resulted from analysts misclassifying satellite stains from dripped blood. Relative to the neutral information, the positive-bias information increased correct classifications and decreased erroneous classifications, and the negative-bias information decreased correct classifications and increased erroneous classifications. The implications of these findings for BPA are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces^,

Taylor

Laber²,

Kish

et al. 2016

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…The growing concern over expert decision-making being influenced by cognitive processes has led to a growth in research specifically focusing on applying different judgment and decision-making theories within crime reconstruction approaches (Edmond et al, 2017;Found, 2015). It has been demonstrated that these vulnerabilities are not limited to a specific field, with similar interpretation issues being highlighted across a wide range of forensic science domains (Dror, Charlton, & Péron, 2006;Dror & Hampikian, 2011;Miller, 1984;Nakhaeizadeh, Dror, & Morgan, 2014;Osborne, Taylor, & Zajac, 2016;Stoel, Dror, & Miller, 2014).…”

Section: Human Cognition and Decision-makingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crime reconstruction and the role of trace materials from crime scene to court

Morgan

Meakin

French

et al. 2019

WIREs Forensic Science

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Crime reconstruction takes place in a complex ecosystem and needs to be responsive to the context of each case. For accurate, reproducible and transparent crime reconstructions to take place, a holistic approach is needed that considers the different stakeholders, different types of trace material, integral human decision-making and interconnected nature of the forensic science process. For robust reconstruction, there needs to be a consideration of both the distinctive types of trace material that can contribute to the reconstruction, and an understanding of the interplay of human decision-making within reconstruction approaches. In addition, it is also necessary to consider source attribution of a trace material in addition to the activities that led to the generation, identification, transfer, and persistence of the trace. This requires explicit and tacit forms of knowledge, and an incorporation of the inherent uncertainty and risk in the reconstruction approach. The communication of conclusions reached in a crime reconstruction that address what the evidence means is also an important consideration given the different requirements of intelligence and evidence. Therefore, undertaking a crime reconstruction within a holistic framework that seeks to incorporate the complexity of the forensic science ecosystem is valuable for achieving a problem solving approach that offers reproducible, transparent reconstructions with a clear articulation of risk and uncertainty that can be of value to investigators and the courts.

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“…The bloodstain may be present in different shapes and patterns, and it may be possible to predict the source of the bloodstain, 7,25,48 which is the point of origin. To analyze the timeline of the events before and after death, it is important to calculate the localization of the point of origin from the radiating fluid, 7,64 which can be achieved using complex calculations and the use of computer software. 25 Blood spatter indicates the direction of the origin of the bleeding, and all length and width spatter measures should be taken, in addition to the distance of the drops from their point of origin.…”

Section: Crime Scene Findings and Trace Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…66 The information provided by these parameters may assist in the reconstruction of the events that culminated in death, and BPA should be paired with necropsy findings and molecular biology, because the DNA of the blood should be examined to determine whether the blood is from the animal or from the perpetrator, who may have received injuries during the stabbing or shooting. 56,64,66…”

Section: Crime Scene Findings and Trace Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Veterinary Pathology

et al. 2016

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Sharp-force injuries are injuries caused by a mechanical force using sharp objects against the skin. Sharp-force injuries are mainly classified as stab, incised, chop, and therapeutic wounds and are less frequent than blunt-force injuries in animals. The analysis of the edges of the wound is crucial, especially if more than one type of lesion is involved. It may be difficult to differentiate between sharp trauma and blunt trauma, because lacerations can resemble incised wounds. The accurate documentation and examination of these injuries may indicate the instrument involved, the relationship between the animal and the perpetrator, and the force of the stab. Situations in which this type of trauma occurs may involve social violence, accidents, hunting, veterinary medical management, and religious rituals. The causes of death related to this type of trauma include hypovolemic shock, pneumothorax, or asphyxiation due to aspiration of blood. Necropsy findings should provide objective and unbiased information about the cause and manner of death to aid the investigation and further judgment of a possible crime.

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Exploring the role of contextual information in bloodstain pattern analysis: A qualitative approach

Cited by 17 publications

References 2 publications

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces^,

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces^,

Crime reconstruction and the role of trace materials from crime scene to court

Forensic Veterinary Pathology

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Exploring the role of contextual information in bloodstain pattern analysis: A qualitative approach

Cited by 17 publications

References 2 publications

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces,

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces,

Crime reconstruction and the role of trace materials from crime scene to court

Forensic Veterinary Pathology

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces^,

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis—PART 2: Bloodstain Patterns on Fabric Surfaces^,