Understanding the visibility of blood on dark surfaces: A practical evaluation of visible light, NIR, and SWIR imaging

Schotman, Tom G.; Westen, Antoinette A.; Weerd, Jaap van der; Bruin, Karla G. de

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.08.024

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Rather, it was the case that there were large amounts of individual differences in the ability to identify a bloodstain. Across the known from active practitioners and research that colour [51] and porosity of surface [45] can effect interpretation of bloodstains and bloodstain pattern. The current study investigated the effect of surface material and colour on the accuracy of bloodstain pattern analysis judgments made by undergraduate students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A preliminary investigation into the influence of case information and surface material effects on the judgments of forensic science undergraduate students within the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis

Hugh¹,

Satchell²

2018

Preprint

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There is growing concern about human bias and limitations in forensic science practice. The United States National Academy of Sciences has specifically highlighted that forensic sciences “rely on human interpretation of what could be tainted by error” (Edwards and Gotsonis, 2009, p9). An array of literature has shown that particular domains of forensic science, such as fingerprint and DNA matching, are vulnerable to bias and error. Less attention has been paid to the process of blood pattern analysis. In the current study, a sample of 32 trainee blood pattern analysts from the United Kingdom were asked to report the number and type of stains present on six different surfaces. The surfaces were systematically varied in terms of colour and porosity. Further, participants were provided with ‘case information’ to investigate if details about the source of the stains would bias a re-appraisal of the stains. We found that the trainees found the dark, non-porous surfaces particularly challenging when identifying the number of stains present on a surface. The accuracy at detecting the specific types of stain varied more as a function of the individual trainee than the surface material. Case information had no effect on participants reappraising the stains. The results highlight particular materials that may require targeted tutoring for trainee blood pattern analysts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is due to the lack of contrast between the dark bloodstains and the dark surfaces the bloodstain is deposited on. Whilst light sources may assist visualisation, a bloodstain that spreads into a fabric further can be more difficult to visualise [51]. There is surprisingly little research on this (anecdotally) common challenge for analysts.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A preliminary investigation into the influence of case information and surface material effects on the judgments of forensic science undergraduate students within the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis

Hugh¹,

Satchell²

2018

Preprint

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“…3,30,31 Furthermore, black fabric can signicantly obscure visibly detecting bloodstains with an investigator's eyes, visiblewavelength camera, or NIR camera. 32,33 Therefore, a longer wavelength (>850 nm) albumin-sensing emitter is needed for optimal detection on all surfaces and background colors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…34 An optimal imaging window from 850-1000 nm then forms between black pigment absorption and the limit of silicon photodetectors. [33][34][35][36] Imaging beyond 1000 nm would require a different photodetector (oen indium gallium arsenide, InGaAs), which is multiple orders of magnitude more expensive and can require cryogenic cooling (as low as −80 °C). 34,[37][38][39][40][41][42] 2 Results and discussion…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Switch-on near infrared emission in albumin behind dark fabric: toward application in forensic latent bloodstain detection

Saucier,

Kruse,

Lewis

et al. 2024

RSC Adv.

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“…MA-XRF provides an interesting additional ‘elemental contrast’ to imaging when conventional optical and fluorescence methods involving forensic light sources and IR/NIR based hyperspectral imaging are hampered by substrate interference ( e.g . limited reflection on dark clothing 17 – 19 or excessive background fluorescence 20 ). As alternative for the more invasive chemographic methods 21 for shooting distance estimation (important when investigating opposing scenarios, e.g .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large area imaging of forensic evidence with MA-XRF

Langstraat

Knijnenberg

Edelman

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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This study introduces the use of macroscopic X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) for the detection, classification and imaging of forensic traces over large object areas such as entire pieces of clothing and wall paneling. MA-XRF was sufficiently sensitive and selective to detect human biological traces like blood, semen, saliva, sweat and urine on fabric on the basis of Fe, Zn, K, Cl and Ca elemental signatures. With MA-XRF a new chemical contrast is introduced for human stain detection and this can provide a valuable alternative when the evidence item is challenging for conventional techniques. MA-XRF was also successfully employed for the chemical imaging and classification of gunshot residues (GSR). The full and non-invasive elemental mapping (Pb, Ba, Sr, K and Cl) of intact pieces of clothing allows for a detailed shooting incident reconstruction linking firearms and ammunition to point of impact and providing information on the shooting angle. In high resolution mode MA-XRF can even be used to provide information on the shooting order of different ammunition types. Finally, by using the surface penetration of X-rays we demonstrate that the lead signature of a bullet impact can be easily detected even if covered by multiple layers of wall paint or human blood.

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Understanding the visibility of blood on dark surfaces: A practical evaluation of visible light, NIR, and SWIR imaging

Cited by 10 publications

References 12 publications

A preliminary investigation into the influence of case information and surface material effects on the judgments of forensic science undergraduate students within the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis

A preliminary investigation into the influence of case information and surface material effects on the judgments of forensic science undergraduate students within the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis

Switch-on near infrared emission in albumin behind dark fabric: toward application in forensic latent bloodstain detection

Large area imaging of forensic evidence with MA-XRF

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