title: Statistical evaluation of alternative light sources for bloodstain photography.
abstract: Bloodstain photography is important in forensic applications, especially for bloodstain pattern analysis. This study compares the enhancement effect of bloodstain photography using three different types of light source: fluorescent white light, near-ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) light, and 410 nm LED light. Randomized complete block designs were implemented to identify the lighting that would statistically produce the best enhancement results for bloodstains on different types of surfaces. Bloodstain samples were prepared on white cotton, brown carpet, tar road, and wood. These samples were photographed in darkroom conditions using a Canon EOS 50D digital SLR camera, with Canon EFS 60 mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens. Two-way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test were used to analyze the contrast of the images. The statistical analysis showed that 410 nm light is the best among the tested lights for enhancing bloodstains on the tested surfaces, where the contrast of bloodstain to background was the highest.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, 14300 Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wee Chuen
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bee Ee
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.forename: Ahmad Fahmi Lim
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bin Abdullah
authors.forename: Zalina Binti
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Abdul Aziz
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001801:Blood Stains; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D010781:Photography