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Instructor: Sharon Plotkin

Course length: 7 hours

Violent crime scenes usually involve blood shedding events that, if properly recognized and documented, not only answer vital questions but allow bloodstain pattern analysts to be able to assist in rendering important opinions and lead to successful investigative outcomes. This workshop will provide the foundation for bloodstain pattern recognition in answering pertinent questions such as where people may be positioned on a crime scene, type of instrumentation used, directionality of bloodstains, effects of surfaces on bloodstains, and force applied.  Chemical use for enhancing and detecting blood and documentation techniques for blood shedding events will also be examined.

During this 7-hour webinar (6-hour lecture, 1-hour practical exercise), the student will be introduced to the historical perspectives of bloodstain pattern recognition relevant to blood shedding events on crime scenes.  Participants will be introduced to the application of this information through successfully recognizing and documenting important bloodstain patterns that will aid in the criminal investigation.  A follow up practical will ensure the objectives have been met.  Students must complete the assignment in order to receive the certificate.

DELIVERABLES:

  • PowerPoint presentation with lecture
  • Practical exercise
Course Objectives:
  1. Attendees will be able to describe the historical perspective of bloodstain pattern recognition. 
  2. Attendees will be able to discuss the effects of surfaces on bloodstain patterns.
  3. Attendees will be able to define bloodstain patterns.
  4. Attendees will be able to explain blood enhancement and detection techniques.
  5. Attendees will be able to describe the importance of documentation and the application of documentation techniques of bloodstain patterns.
  6. Attendees will be able to discuss Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and safety issues when investigating blood present on crime scenes.
Course Outline:
  • Historical Perspective of Bloodstain Pattern Recognition and Reconstruction - 60 minutes
  • Effects of Surfaces - 60 minutes
  • Bloodstain Pattern Recognition - 135 minutes
  • Bloodstain Pattern Recognition Interactive Exercise - 60 minutes
  • Blood Enhancement Versus Detection - 30 minutes
  • Quiz and Evaluations - 15 minutes
  • Post Course Practical Exercise - 60 minutes
​This course has been approved for 7 hours of certification/re-certification training credits in the IAI Bloodstain Pattern Certification Board.
Sharon Plotkin

Sharon Plotkin

Specialties

Bloodstain Reconstruction, Crime Scene Investigations, Crime Scene Photography, Crime Scene Reconstruction, Fingerprinting Techniques

About Sharon Plotkin

Holding Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, and an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology, Sharon Plotkin is currently seeking a doctoral degree in education.Sharon has received specialized training in various fields of crime scene investigations, including bloodstain reconstruction, photography, crime scene reconstruction, fingerprinting, shoe wear casting and other various topics. She is certified in crime scene investigations and has been doing crime scene work for almost 21 years.

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