Spatter Patterns Experiment
When arriving at a crime scene a lot can be learnt by the blood and the way in which it has spattered. If there is no body, forensic scientists can use the blood spatters to determine where from and at what angle the blood came as well as the size of the weapon and the point of origin of the blood spatter.
Investigative Question
How does blood spatter determine the angle and point of origin of the blood?
Hypothesis
If the angle of impact of the blood is determined, then the point of origin can be found.
Variables
Independent variable: the position of the sponge
Dependant variable: the angle of impact
Control: sponge with no spatter
Equipment
Corn starch Water Glycerine Red and green food colouring Sponges
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The fake blood can stain, where gloves, goggles and old clothes to protect yourself
Method
Prepare fake blood by adding 5 tablespoons of water, 5 tablespoons of corn starch and 10 tablespoons of glycerine into a bowl. Mix until smooth. Add a few drops of red and green food colouring to get a realistic look and consistency of blood. Find an area to conduct the experiment, it should have a flat surface and a corner. Cover the area with A1 paper, stick the paper down so it does not move. Mark an X on the sponge Place a kitchen sponge on the flat surface and pour 2 tablespoons of fake blood onto it. Hit the sponge on the X with the hammer in order to create a spatter pattern Mark off 6 spatters around the sponge to measure, measure the length and the width (only the ellipse, do not include the tail) Calculate the angle of impact for each spatter. Tape one end of the string to the spatter and using a protractor find the angle if impact that was calculated. Hold the string taught and follow the direction using the axis of the ellipse until the sponge is reached. Repeat this for the other 5 spatters. Record results and observe if the strings converge at the X (point of
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Real world use
Forensic scientists can use the information gathered from the spatter patterns to help when solving a murder. Finding the point of origin can be extremely helpful especially if the body is not found at the crime scene. It shows where a person was standing, what size weapon was used and with what force. Analysing the spatter helps determine more about the victim (such as height) and the murderer. The results and formula used in this experiment can be used in real world situations to help the crime departments in our country.
Conclusion
The strings crossed over the place of origin with the angles resulting in the height of the sponge. Spatter 4s angle of impact suggests that it dripped down from something possibly the hammer as it was perpendicular to the paper. The direction of the spatter is determined by the direction of the tail giving direction to the point of origin. The results of the experiment are reliable as the angles calculated do not have a big difference, they could be made even more reliable if the experiment was repeated multiple times with a different weapon or point of origin. The experiment was a success as the hypothesis was proven correct as the origin was found using the
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Blood spatter analysts are a crucial part of a homicide investigation. They examine the blood stains left behind at a crime scene with the help of criminal investigators. They try to find a pattern or trail with the blood to figure out what happened at the crime scene. These blood patterns can show where the victim was hit, how they were hit, if they struggled, and what kind of weapon the killer used. They use many techniques to collect evidence that can be analyzed at the lab. Common techniques are measuring the diameter of the blood drop, measuring the spatter zone, and taking pictures. Many analysts try to act out the homicide scene to piece together the crime scene and figure out what happened. They also sketch out the scene to go along
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Forensic science is a key aspect of Criminal Justice that helps rid the streets of lunatics and murderers. One of the most important fields of forensic science is blood spatter analysis. Under the Crime Scene Investigation, analysts gather the information that could eventually lead to a victim’s killer. Basic and complex information can be found when analyzing blood. We can learn what kind of weapon was used, the time of death of a victim and other important facts that can help a case. The pattern that the blood gives off give forensic scientists the tools that they need to help solve cases.
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