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Instructor: Holly Latham, CBPA

Course length: 40 hours

This 40-hour Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) course is designed for the student who wants to learn how to correctly identify and document bloodstain patterns. It will begin with the fundamental principles of BPA and theories behind pattern formation, and evolve to practical application including scenario based training and mock scenes.

Classroom presentations are supplemented with numerous hands-on activities, and more than 50% of the class is dedicated to practical application.

By the end of the training the student will feel comfortable analyzing a scene and be able to understand the actions that could or could not have occurred. This class will be useful to crime scene investigators, laboratory personnel who analyze bloodstained evidence, detectives who interview individuals involved in scenes of bloodshed and prosecutors who should have an understanding of the discipline before presenting BPA evidence in court.

Course Objectives:
  • Develop an understanding of the physical characteristics of bloodstain patterns
  • Learn how to correctly document and collect bloodstains and bloodstain patterns
  • Develop an understanding of the physics and mathematics of blood in motion
  • Understand how bloodstain pattern analysis can be utilized to aid in case reconstruction
Course Outline:
  • History of bloodstain pattern analysis
  • Composition of blood
  • Physics of blood and blood in motion
  • Bloodstain terminology
  • Bloodstain pattern analysis methodology
  • Bloodstain pattern characteristics and identification
  • Documentation and collection of bloodstains
  • Determining area of convergence and area of origin in impact patterns
  • Case examples utilizing bloodstain pattern analysis
  • Limitations of bloodstain pattern analysis
  • Introduction to report writing and courtroom testimony
  • Bloodstain pattern analysis reconstruction
Holly Latham

Holly Latham

Specialties

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Shooting Reconstruction

TFT Courses Taught

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern AnalysisBasic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

About Holly Latham

Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degree in Justice Studies from Fort Hays State University, Holly Latham, CBPE, is the Technical Leader for her agency’s Bloodstain Program and is responsible for authoring the BPA Training Manual and SOPs.

Holly is court qualified as an expert in bloodstain pattern analysis and latent print examination. She has instructed classes on bloodstain pattern analysis in fourteen states, Canada, and for the National Forensic Academy (NFA).

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