The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Part 1: Bloodstain Patterns on Rigid Non-absorbent Surfaces

• Michael C. Taylor ^[3] ; Terry L. Laber ^[4] ; Paul E. Kish ^[5] ; Glynn Owens ^[1] ; Nikola K. P. Osborne ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Auckland

     University of Auckland

     Nueva Zelanda

     
  2. [2] Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (ESR) Christchurch New Zealand
  3. [3] Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (ESR) Christchurch New Zealan
  4. [4] Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) St Paul MN
  5. [5] Forensic Consultant & Associates Corning NY

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• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 61, Nº. 4, 2016, págs. 922-927
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This study was designed to produce the first baseline measure of reliability in bloodstain pattern classification. A panel of experienced bloodstain pattern analysts examined over 400 spatter patterns on three rigid non-absorbent surfaces. The patterns varied in spatter type and extent. A case summary accompanied each pattern that either contained neutral information, information to suggest the correct pattern (i.e., was positively biasing), or information to suggest an incorrect pattern (i.e., was negatively biasing). Across the variables under examination, 13% of classifications were erroneous. Generally speaking, where the pattern was more difficult to recognize (e.g., limited staining extent or a patterned substrate), analysts became more conservative in their judgment, opting to be inconclusive. Incorrect classifications increased as a function of the negatively biasing contextual information. The implications of the findings for practice are discussed.