Blood Spatter Analyst
Noah Truitt
Bloodstain pattern analysts examine blood that is left behind at crime scenes in whatever quantity. It can be a trace amount in the form of a trail or a print, or it can involve a large volume of blood – or any amount in between. An analyst uses several different techniques to collect evidence from the scene for later processing and analysis at a lab.
Common techniques may involve taking photographs, using swabs and ultraviolet light to detect and collect trace evidence, and recreating spatter in the lab. This also requires the creation of detailed reports using computer simulations and analysis, as well as reporting findings to colleagues, law enforcement professionals, and court officials. Bloodstain pattern analysts can confirm or refute assumptions made about the crime or statements made by suspects and witnesses based on their analysis.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical education required for entry-level careers in forensic science is a bachelor’s degree in a natural science like chemistry, biology, or forensic science.
