Chapter 8 - Investigative Leads: Suggested Questions and Answers

Abstract

Each bloodstain pattern identification suggests evidential leads information. Investigators who have learned to use bloodstain pattern evidence in their initial interviews have found confirmations and/or contradictions in statements that speed solutions to violent crimes. Using such information is in contrast to waiting until after a person of interest is identified before analyzing bloodstains from photographs or finding questions after interviews are completed. The following lists provide questions from bloodstain patterns that may be answered if they are known at the time of interviews. They are arranged by category of bloodstain and are followed by explanations detailing how bloodstain patterns may be used to answer specific questions. The essential approach is that bloodstain patterns are analyzed before interviews, not after. The presentation here is in words without pictures to show how explanations can be applied later to court testimony. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but lawyers prefer the words.