PHF Science provides Basic BPA training that can be delivered either at our Christchurch Science Centre or at your own facilities, in a course aiming to develop fundamental knowledge about the discipline of BPA, while also growing ability in recognising basic pattern types as building blocks for complex patterns. 

The course is designed for technicians and scientists, research students, and others who require an awareness of BPA science.

A course designed for technicians, scientists, research students and others who require an awareness of the science of BPA. 

If you are interested in training at our Christchurch Science Centre or at your own facility, please contact course facilitator  Ros Rough  by email. 

A course of instruction designed for scientists, research students and others who require advanced level instruction in the science of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA). 

The course is intended to build on competencies gained during basic level training. The focus is on the recognition and interpretation of complex bloodstain patterns. 

This 40-hour course will give bloodstain pattern analysts an
understanding of the basic principles of fluid dynamics as
they apply to bloodstain pattern formation.

Download the course brochure.

Our aim for the course is to help bloodstain pattern analysts develop greater interpretative skills. We explore the connections between the physical mechanisms that cause blood to leave the body and the characteristics of static bloodstain patterns. We look closely at the properties of blood as a fluid and the physics of blood droplet behaviour.

We take a practical, hands-on approach. You will work in small groups on a set of experiments, using a high speed camera to capture bloodstain patterns.

Groups will review and analyse experimental data, and prepare and present presentations to the class describing the results.

You will practice making connections between the dynamics of pattern formation and the features of the resultant static bloodstain pattern.

There will also be lectures and class discussions about the principles of fluid mechanics that will help you gain higher-level interpretative pattern recognition skills.

Pre-course assignment

Some pre-course work, including refresher training on
some basic maths and physics, is required before the
course starts.

Course assessment

There are three parts to the course assessment:

1. Completion of a practical workbook
2. An oral presentation made on the final day of the course
3. An open-book, written exam on the fundamentals of fluid dynamics

After this course you will be able to:

• describe and explain the critical physical properties of fluids
  describe and demonstrate the differences between blood and other common fluids and how that relates to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
• explain the underlying physical mechanisms of the formation of major bloodstain types 
• relate the observed characteristics of the major bloodstain pattern types to the underlying mechanisms of their formation
• use video bloodstain pattern analysis source material in the presentation of court evidence or in basic bloodstain pattern analysis training.

If you’d like to join a course, please register your interest with course facilitator Ros Rough by email.