2021/04/22

Forensic Magzine April 21, 2021: Physics Shows How Close-range Shooter had No Bloodstains on Clothes

If investigators find a crime scene demands it, they will bring in bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) experts to help infer details about the nature of the bloodstains and how that information fits into the overall crime puzzle. Estimating the originating position and droplet size distribution of blood spatter is a common expectation of BPA experts; however, depending on the technique used, the error ratio can be substantial. For example, a well-cited 2011 study showed estimates that neglect the effect of drag and gravity on the initial position of blood droplets can overestimate the distance by 50 percent.

Inspired by the real-life murder of actress Lana Clarkson, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Iowa State University employed physics-based modeling to better understand the analysis of blood backspatter in gunshot wounds.

On Feb. 3, 2003, Clarkson was found dead in the mansion belonging to record producer Phil Spector. She was shot in the face at very close range. While a witness said Spector came out of the house holding a gun and saying “I think I shot her,” Spector would later say it was an “accidental suicide.” Although Spector was dressed in white clothes and investigators noted significant backward blood spatter, no bloodstains were found on his clothing, which was puzzling.

In two new papers published in Physics of Fluid, the research team presents both theoretical and experimental results that seemingly explain how the convicted murderer escaped the shooting with zero bloodstain evidence on his person. more