Recognizing and analyzing bloodstain patterns can yield useful investigative information.  The role of the Bloodstain Pattern Analyst in a criminal investigation is to assist in the reconstruction of the events of an alleged incident that may have created the stains and stain patterns, and blood spatter present at a crime scene, on items of physical evidence from that scene and on items of clothing that were present at the crime scene. In some cases, it may be necessary to conduct a bloodstain pattern interpretation using photographs.  The standards and protocols utilized in taking the photographs will determine their value.  Individual bloodstains and bloodstain patterns may be useful if they can provide information descriptive of the events that could have produced them.  Bloodstain pattern analysis and the subsequent evaluations are conducted to determine what action(s) or sequence of actions could have created the bloodstains and/or patterns observed.

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Bloodstained clothing

The analysis of bloodstains on clothing can be used to determine the position of the individual when the blood was deposited (sitting, standing, etc.) as well as movements after the blood was deposited.

Document Blood Sources

The sizes of the individual stains composing a pattern, the shapes of these stains and their distribution relative to one another can be utilized for the purposes of determining how a particular stain or pattern may have been produced.

Crime Scene Reconstruction

Information that may be gained with bloodstain pattern analysis includes the relative position of individuals at the time of bloodshed, the possible type of weapon used as well as possible mechanisms that could have produced the blood staining on a surface.