Illinois residents may be interested to learn how analyzing bloodstains after a shooting can help law enforcement identify a perpetrator. Blood splatter evidence is based on the physical way that blood behaves. It has been used in law enforcement since the late 19th century. In the United States, its prominence dates back to 1955. Blood splatter evidence has played a role in many well-known murder trials, including the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.
Law enforcement may use blood spatter to backward-trace the events at a crime scene. They may be able to use blood splatter evidence to reconstruct how suspects acted during the crime, what weapons were used and where the victim and the perpetrator were positioned. Potential evidence includes splatters, drips and smears that are created following the impact of a bullet or a hit with a blunt object.
Some analysts have called into question the validity of blood splatter evidence. They argue that it lacks scientific rigor and claim that practitioners in this field do not have valid accreditation. There have been cases where blood splatter evidence has led to convicting innocent people.
Reconstructing the movement of a fluid is challenging. It is even more challenging when blood is involved because blood is a mixture of fluid and solids. Another factor complicating the situation is that blood properties, including the number of blood cells and pH level, vary from person to person.
When an individual is charged with a crime, they may want to seek the assistance of a criminal defense attorney. Legal counsel could help determine the validity of the evidence against a defendant.
