Bloodstain Pattern Analysis for Beginners: A Law Enforcement Guide to the Science

Bloodstains at a crime scene hold secrets. To the untrained eye, they’re just messy biological hazards, but for law enforcement, they can be forensic gold. Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) blends physics, biology, math, various physical sciences, and investigative skill to piece together violent events. If you’re new to policing or forensics, or simply unfamiliar with how BPA can help you investigate violent scenes, this guide breaks down how to read bloodstains—from drips to mists.