The use of micro computed tomography to ascertain the morphology of bloodstains on fabric

Date published

2015-10-23

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Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Department

Type

Article

ISSN

0379-0738

Format

Citation

Dicken L, Knock C, Beckett S, et al., (2015) The use of micro computed tomography to ascertain the morphology of bloodstains on fabric. Forensic Science International, Volume 257, December 2015, pp. 369-375

Abstract

Very little is known about the interactions of blood and fabric and how bloodstains on fabric are formed. Whereas the blood stain size for non-absorbent surfaces depends on impact velocity, previous work has suggested that for fabrics the blood stain size is independent of impact velocity when the drop size is kept constant. Therefore, a greater understanding of the interaction of blood and fabric is required. This paper explores the possibility of using a micro computed tomography (CT) scanner to study bloodstain size and shape throughout fabrics. Two different fabrics were used: 100% cotton rib knit and 100% cotton bull drill. Bloodstains were created by dropping blood droplets from three heights; 500 mm, 1000 mm and 1500 mm. Results from the CT scanner clearly showed the bloodstain shape throughout the fabric. The blood was found to form a diamond shaped stain, with the maximum cross-sectional area 0.3–0.5 mm below the surface. The bloodstain morphology depended on both the impact velocity and fabric structure.

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Software Description

Software Language

Github

Keywords

Wicking, Wetting, Absorbent surfaces

DOI

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

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