Science: Forensics Case 10 - Dropped at the Scene: Blood spatter analysis

by Texas Instruments

Overview

In this activity, students graph data to find quantitative relationships and create a standard reference curve for comparison with unknown data. They analyze blood spatters and examine r² values for linear, natural logarithm, quadratic, and power curve fit. They find the curve that best fits the data and use it to determine the height from which blood has dropped.

Key Steps

Students create a reference curve by measuring the diameter of "blood" drops from various heights. Then the coefficient of determination (r-squared) and the graphs of four regressions are compared to pick the best model to use to determine the possible height of the suspect.

Related Activities

Murder in the First Degree - The Death of Mr. Spud
Forensics Case 2 - Bouncing Back: Using ground-penetrating radar to locate buried objects
Forensics Case 3 - Name That Tune: Matching musical tones through waveform analysis
Forensics Case 4 - Flipping Coins: Density as a characteristic property
Forensics Case 5 - The Ink Is Still Wet: Using colorimetry to identify an unknown ink
Forensics Case 6 - Measuring Momentum: Using distance moved after impact to estimate velocity
Forensics Case 7 - Drug Tests: Identifying an unknown chemical
Forensics Case 8 - No Dumping: Using soil characteristics to link suspects to a crime scene
Forensics Case 9 - Killer Cup of Coffee: Using colorimetry to determine concentration of a poison
Forensics Case 11 - Ashes to Ashes: Using evaporation rate to identify an unknown liquid
Forensics Case 12 - Hit and Run: Using information from an event data recorder to reconstruct an ac
Forensics Case 13 - Life in the Fast Lane: Using skid marks to determine vehicle speed
Forensics Case 14—Hot Air, Cold Body: Using Newton's Law of Cooling to Determine Time of Death

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Science: Forensics Case 10 - Dropped at the Scene: Blood spatter analysis

Overview

Key Steps

Murder in the First Degree - The Death of Mr. Spud

Forensics Case 2 - Bouncing Back: Using ground-penetrating radar to locate buried objects

Forensics Case 3 - Name That Tune: Matching musical tones through waveform analysis

Forensics Case 4 - Flipping Coins: Density as a characteristic property

Forensics Case 5 - The Ink Is Still Wet: Using colorimetry to identify an unknown ink

Forensics Case 6 - Measuring Momentum: Using distance moved after impact to estimate velocity

Forensics Case 7 - Drug Tests: Identifying an unknown chemical

Forensics Case 8 - No Dumping: Using soil characteristics to link suspects to a crime scene

Forensics Case 9 - Killer Cup of Coffee: Using colorimetry to determine concentration of a poison

Forensics Case 11 - Ashes to Ashes: Using evaporation rate to identify an unknown liquid

Forensics Case 12 - Hit and Run: Using information from an event data recorder to reconstruct an ac

Forensics Case 13 - Life in the Fast Lane: Using skid marks to determine vehicle speed

Forensics Case 14—Hot Air, Cold Body: Using Newton's Law of Cooling to Determine Time of Death

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