Writer's Centre: CSI Dictionary: B


BPA (Bloodstain Pattern Analysis)

The science of analysing bloodstains to determine speed, direction, and impact angles establishes scenarios of violence (and counters or supports witness testimony) including:

  • What caused bloodshed (type of weapon)
  • How victim died/ was injured
  • location of victim and assailant
  • Amount of force used (to help determine identity of assailant), and how many times victim was struck
  • Whether assailant may have been spattered with blood