title: The influence of fabric surface characteristics on satellite bloodstain morphology.
abstract: Bloodstains on fabrics such as clothing, soft furnishings or carpets are often encountered in casework. These stains often have a distinctive morphology that includes satellite stains, thought to be a highly sensitive feature that is a function of surface roughness. This study presents the findings of experimental studies conducted with proxy blood on two fabrics, similar in labeled composition, to assess the influence of fabric type on satellite stain generation. The morphology of proxy blood stains on the two fabric types were found to be statistically distinguishable from one another, with the volume of satellite stains generated being dependent upon the surface roughness of the fabric. These findings provide an initial step that illustrates the viability of providing an empirical evidence base for the interpretation of satellite stains in forensic blood pattern analysis (BPA).
authors.affiliation: Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK; UCL SECReT Doctoral Training Centre, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK; UCL JDI Centre for the Forensic Sciences, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK. Electronic address: Hester.Miles.09@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.affiliation: Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK; UCL JDI Centre for the Forensic Sciences, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Manlove Forensics Ltd., Unit 12, The Quadrangle, Grove Technology Park, Wantage OX12 9FA, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Millington
mesh_terms: D001801:Blood Stains; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties; D013784:Textiles
keywords: Blood; Crime reconstruction; Fabric; Laboratory analysis; Satellite stain; Stain morphology