Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is the scientific study of the static consequences resulting from dynamic blood-shedding events. The study involves detecting, describing and analyzing the characteristics of bloodstains and bloodstain patterns. These characteristics include the size, shape, distribution, number, location, and orientation as well as the target surfaces they are deposited on and the relationship among various bloodstains at the crime scene. Potential target surfaces include virtually any surface capable of sustaining detectable bloodstains.
Crime Scene Reconstruction (CSR) is an applied science employing the scientific method to identify the best explanation and to provide for an objective sequence of actions for an event or events in question. A crime scene reconstructionist analyzes and evaluates information from all reasonably-available sources such as scene documentation, investigative reports, physical evidence, laboratory analysis reports, autopsy documentation, photographs, video, and statements to identify hypotheses within the context and limited universe of a scene. When performed using the generally-accepted methodology and subjected to peer review, CSR provides a holistic approach to the formal and objective analysis of complex issues while considering sources of potential bias.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is committed to excellence in Forensic Science which includes Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Crime Scene Reconstruction. Because of this investment, we can aid in a criminal investigation by providing the following services to the citizens of Montgomery County and other law enforcement agencies in a timely, unbiased, professional manner:
Crime Scene Response in order to properly document, collect and analyze bloodstains and bloodstain patterns- Laboratory evaluation of crime scene documentation and laboratory reports for the purposes of providing a bloodstain pattern analysis/crime scene reconstruction report.
- Processing of crime scenes and evidence by utilizing enhancement chemicals, infrared
d (IR) cameras and forensic light sources to locate bloodstains that may be difficult to see. - Routinely provide eight (8) hours of training at the MCSO Training Academy for first responders who may encounter crime scenes where bloodshed has occurred. This training is designed to familiarize the first responder with an understanding of how blood as a fluid responds to force.
BPA Analyst and Technical Leader Celestina Rossi is a member of the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee which focuses on developing standards and best practice guidelines for the discipline. Ms. Rossi is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Texas Forensic Science Commission's Crime Scene Reconstruction Working Group (RWG). The RWG was developed to establish standards and best practice guidelines for testifying experts by providing a roadmap for practitioners and expectations for the criminal justice court system. Ms. Rossi is an active member and officer in the following forensic associations: International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (IABPA) currently serving as Historian, a Board Member of the Texas Division of the International Association for Identification (TDIAI), a Past-President and current secretary of the Association of Crime Scene Reconstruction (ACSR).
Any request for BPA / CSR assistance must be submitted on the MCSO Evidence Examination Request form and submitted to the MCSO Property Division or emailed to Crime Laboratory Lieutenant Leslie McCauley at Leslie.McCauley@mctx.org or Crime Laboratory Quality Manager Jessica Wright Jessica.Wright@mctx.org.
A request for immediate scene response must be approved by Lieutenant Leslie McCauley by contacting MCSO Dispatch at (936) 760-5800 and requesting the on-call Crime Scene Supervisor.
BPA Technical Leader Celestina RossiCelestina.Rossi@mctx.org
(936) 538-3417
| The BPA/CSR Section within the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory is an accredited Forensic Inspection Agency through ANAB ANSI National Accreditation Board under ISO/IEC 17020 / ANAB AR 3120. |  |