Fluid mechanics of bloodletting events for crime scene reconstruction

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is an important domain of forensic science, aiming to interpret spatial and morphological features of bloodstains at crime scenes. While the fundamental concept of BPA relies on fluid mechanics and rheology, a lack of interdisciplinary expertise has led to oversimplified physical models, compromising the accuracy of crime scene interpretation and reconstruction.

To bridge this gap, we are developing a scientifically rigorous framework for 3D reconstruction of crime scenes on a virtual reality platform. This will enable forensic investigators and legal professionals to interact with bloodstain evidence while preserving the underlying physics of fluid flow. Central to our approach is the modeling of critical stages in a bloodletting event, which includes droplet generation due to impact or cast-off, airborne dynamics of blood masses, and finally, their interaction with solid surfaces. Here we present the conceptual structure of our modeling approach and highlights the influence of blood rheology in each stage as well as in shaping the final bloodstain patterns.