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A bloody shoeprint in the snow found at a crime scene.  GClark

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The focus group gathering info for the murder case. T.Bailey

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Stay informed with the latest insights, trends, and participant tips on user research and usability testing. Explore how People for Research supports brands with actionable data and advice.

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data from the crime scene was  uploaded T.Bailey 

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This what you  need for packaging of crime scene- Timathya.B

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This a young kid who was murder this cloth are shown on the right- Timathya.B

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Blood is often found on various surfaces at crime scenes where physical violence occurred. Therefore, blood acts as a transfer medium for latent fingerprints and shoeprints.  - Ayna Mahone

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Blood is often found on various surfaces at crime scenes where physical violence occurred. Therefore, blood acts as a transfer medium for latent fingerprints and shoeprints.  - Ayna Mahone

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This wat it look at a crime scene- Timathya.B

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www.wise-geek.com/what-is-blood-evidence.htm

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https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/forensic-investigation/blood-evidence-collection-and-preservation/

Gavyn

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The collection and preservation of blood stain evidence is important because this evidence can be used to type blood or run DNA analysis.

There are two different types of blood that can be collected at a crime scene: liquid and dried blood. Liquid blood evidence is generally collected from blood pools but can be collected off of clothing as well, using a gauze pad or a sterile cotton cloth. Once the sample is collected it must be refrigerated or frozen and brought to the laboratory as quickly as possible. The sample must first be dried thoroughly at room temperature. It is important to get the sample to the laboratory as quickly as possible because after 48 hours the sample might be useless. If the sample has to be mailed it should be completely air dried before packaging. If the sample isn't completely dry when it needs to be packaged, the sample should be rolled in paper and labeled and then put into either a brown paper bag or a box. The paper bag or box is then sealed and labeled again. It is important to only place one item per container to avoid contamination and samples should not be placed in plastic containers. Samples shouldn't be in plastic containers because if the sample is still damp the moisture from the sample can cause microorganisms that can destroy the evidence. Also, due to this fact, samples should not be in any container for more than two hours.

Dried bloodstains can be found on small objects, larger objects and on clothing. When dried blood is found on a small object the entire object can be sent to the lab after it's been properly packaged and labeled. When dried blood is found on a larger object that is transportable, an investigator should cover the stained area with paper and tape the paper to the object to avoid contamination. If the object that is stained is not transportable there are different ways that an investigator can collect the sample. One option is to cut out the stained area of the large object. If the portion is cut out the sample is packaged the same way as described above but a control sample should also be provided in a separate package. Another option is to use fingerprint tape and lift the sample as well as the surrounding control area. If this method is used it is important for investigators to not touch the sticky side of the tape with bare hands and the investigator should run an eraser or some type of blunt object over the placed tape to ensure that contact is made with the dried stain. The lifted stain is then be packaged and labeled, then delivered to the laboratory. Another way to collect a sample off of an object is to use a clean sharp object to scrape flakes of the stain into a paper packet. The last two methods of collection of a dried bloodstain on a large object require the use of distilled water to dampen the stain before rolling a thread in the stain or absorbing the stain with a cotton square. These two methods are not recommended due to the risk of contamination. When dried blood is found on clothing the entire article of clothing should be packaged and labeled and delivered to the lab.

It is important for the investigator to remember to keep each sample separated so that there is no contamination between samples.

Back to Crime Library

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Blood Evidence: Collection and Preservation - Crime Museum

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The collection and preservation of blood stain evidence is important because this evidence can be used to type blood or run DNA analysis. There are two different types of blood that can be collected at a crime scene: liquid and dried blood.

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https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/forensic-investigation/blood-evidence-collection-and-preservation/

Gavyn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The collection and preservation of blood stain evidence is important because this evidence can be used to type blood or run DNA analysis.

There are two different types of blood that can be collected at a crime scene: liquid and dried blood. Liquid blood evidence is generally collected from blood pools but can be collected off of clothing as well, using a gauze pad or a sterile cotton cloth. Once the sample is collected it must be refrigerated or frozen and brought to the laboratory as quickly as possible. The sample must first be dried thoroughly at room temperature. It is important to get the sample to the laboratory as quickly as possible because after 48 hours the sample might be useless. If the sample has to be mailed it should be completely air dried before packaging. If the sample isn't completely dry when it needs to be packaged, the sample should be rolled in paper and labeled and then put into either a brown paper bag or a box. The paper bag or box is then sealed and labeled again. It is important to only place one item per container to avoid contamination and samples should not be placed in plastic containers. Samples shouldn't be in plastic containers because if the sample is still damp the moisture from the sample can cause microorganisms that can destroy the evidence. Also, due to this fact, samples should not be in any container for more than two hours.

Dried bloodstains can be found on small objects, larger objects and on clothing. When dried blood is found on a small object the entire object can be sent to the lab after it's been properly packaged and labeled. When dried blood is found on a larger object that is transportable, an investigator should cover the stained area with paper and tape the paper to the object to avoid contamination. If the object that is stained is not transportable there are different ways that an investigator can collect the sample. One option is to cut out the stained area of the large object. If the portion is cut out the sample is packaged the same way as described above but a control sample should also be provided in a separate package. Another option is to use fingerprint tape and lift the sample as well as the surrounding control area. If this method is used it is important for investigators to not touch the sticky side of the tape with bare hands and the investigator should run an eraser or some type of blunt object over the placed tape to ensure that contact is made with the dried stain. The lifted stain is then be packaged and labeled, then delivered to the laboratory. Another way to collect a sample off of an object is to use a clean sharp object to scrape flakes of the stain into a paper packet. The last two methods of collection of a dried bloodstain on a large object require the use of distilled water to dampen the stain before rolling a thread in the stain or absorbing the stain with a cotton square. These two methods are not recommended due to the risk of contamination. When dried blood is found on clothing the entire article of clothing should be packaged and labeled and delivered to the lab.

It is important for the investigator to remember to keep each sample separated so that there is no contamination between samples.

Back to Crime Library

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Blood Evidence: Collection and Preservation - Crime Museum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The collection and preservation of blood stain evidence is important because this evidence can be used to type blood or run DNA analysis. There are two different types of blood that can be collected at a crime scene: liquid and dried blood.

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There’s a simple rule of thumb for deciding which type of evidence packaging—wet evidence goes in paper containers (wet evidence can degrade if placed inside plastic containers) and dry evidence goes in plastic. Items that could be cross-contaminated must be packaged separately.
-Ayna Mahone

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https://darliefacts.com/blood-evidence
Gavyn

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https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/federal-dna-database
Gavyn

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Starting in October 2016, FDDU began to issue a new and smaller oral DNA collection device. This new collector allows for a direct transfer from inside the cheek onto collection paper in a similar manner to the current collection device, and allows for the possibility of self-collection by offenders. Detailed instructions for its use is included in the kits, and the FD-936 form has not changed. FDDU will continue to accept the old kits, so please use all the current kits in your inventory before ordering new kits.

What We Do

The Federal DNA Database Unit (FDDU) serves the greater forensic community by aiding investigations through hit confirmations against individuals whose profiles are in the National DNA Index System (NDIS). Agencies submit blood or buccal samples to the unit from individuals who are required by law to do so. These include individuals convicted of, arrested for, or facing charges of certain qualifying federal crimes or convicted of qualifying District of Columbia offenses, as well as non-U.S. citizens who are detained under the authority of the United States. FDDU then produces a DNA profile for each of these individuals and uploads it to the NDIS, which is part of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

These known DNA profiles are then searched against unknown forensic profiles from crime scenes across the country. If a match is identified, the casework laboratory can request FDDU to confirm the offender sample DNA profile. Once the profile is confirmed, the FDDU will then release the subject's personal identifying information back to the casework laboratory. This information can then be passed on to investigators in the hopes of apprehending the perpetrator. Thanks to law enforcement agencies and their sample submissions, FDDU has uploaded over one million profiles to NDIS and has aided thousands of investigations to date.

Under the overall direction of the FDDU chief, unit operations effectively cascade across two supervisors and are guided by their respective management of integral program teams. A team of accessioning scientists handle the initial triage of submissions into the unit, inventorying samples, inputting specimen data, and preparing specimens for the beginning stages of testing. A team of laboratory scientists apply robotic processing stations and high-throughput instrumentation to generate DNA typing results from samples within days of sample acceptance. A team of reporting scientists interprets the resulting DNA profiles, approve data for upload, and author correspondence to casework laboratories regarding database associations confirmed between FDDU specimen DNA profiles and corresponding evidentiary DNA profiles.

On a compliance level, the FDDU is supported by teams of DNA technical specialists and DNA program specialists, who have critical responsibilities within the unit for ensuring the quality assurance and quality control of analytical testing, as well as conformance of database operations with established procedural requirements.

Administratively, the unit is supported by a team of management and program analysts with responsibilities for budgetary execution, procurement, inventory, and logistical applications. The unit relies heavily upon an information technology team to support the unit network and overall infrastructure backbone that drives the various operational applications.

From a technology perspective, a DNA Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is critical for the automated development of specimen works lists, controlling the stepwise progression of each sample through the entire analytical process. The FDDU utilizes robotic systems in the laboratory to achieve high-throughput processing, allowing for a day-through-evening uninterrupted workflow without human intervention, permitting maximum operational efficiency. A sophisticated software analysis tool (expert system) permits an automated review of resulting DNA data with a reduced level of scientist intervention, increasing throughput rate while consistently meeting or exceeding required performance measures.

History of the Unit and Legislation

FDDU was initially established in 2000 as the Federal Convicted Offender (FCO) Program as a result of the DNA Backlog Elimination Act. Expanding DNA legislation over the next decade significantly impacted both the scope and direction of the FCO Program, which began overseeing the uploading of DNA profiles into NDIS in 2002 and became its own unit, FDDU, in 2009. By July 2015, the unit uploaded its one millionth sample to NDIS.
Read more about major milestones in the history of FDDU and the legislation directing the unit's mission.

DNA Kit Collection Instructions

The current Bode Buccal Collection Kit, released October 1, 2016, and previous kits can be submitted to FDDU by following the instructions in the respective links. The letters "B", "C", "D", and "E" referenced for the kit will be the first character of the kit barcode printed on the main kit envelope:

The Federal DNA Database has created an instructional DVD video available for training and education about our unit and DNA collection kits. These DVDs are available for official law enforcement and other federal collection agencies only. They are free of charge; please email us at fddu@ic.fbi.gov if you would like to place an order.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact FDDU by e-mail at fddu@ic.fbi.gov, or alternatively:

By phone - (703) 632-7529

By fax - (703) 632-7620

By mail - Federal DNA Database Unit, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Quantico, VA 22135

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The Federal DNA Database Unit analyzes the Core CODIS loci DNA markers from buccal and blood samples of federal convicted offenders, arrestees facing federal charges, individuals convicted of certain District of Columbia offenses, and non-U.S. citizens detained under the authority of the U.S., for development of DNA profiles that are uploaded to the National DNA Index System (NDIS).

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https://projects.nfstc.org/property_crimes/module03/pro_m03_t07.htm#:~:text=%20Evidence%20Collection%20%3E%20Blood%20and%20Body%20Fluid,piece%20of%20paper%20that%20can%20be...%20More%20
-Ayna Mahone

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Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Blood and Body Fluid Collection

The most common methods used to collect blood and body fluid evidence include the following:

Cuttings. Remove a section of the item containing the stain using a sterile or clean cutting device.

Image courtesy of Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Removing a section of carpet containing a stain using a sterile cutting device

Wet absorption. A sterile swab, gauze pad or threads slightly moistened with distilled water. Concentrate the stain in a localized portion of the swab or pad. When a swab is used, the stain should be concentrated on the tip. The collection medium is pressed or rubbed into the stain and allowed to air-dry. Some laboratories recommend following the first moistened swabbing with a second dry swabbing to ensure thorough sample collection. Both swabs are retained and submitted for analysis.

Scraping method. The sample is scraped with a clean razor blade or scalpel, into a clean piece of paper that can be folded and packaged in a paper envelope. This is a method to be used in a controlled environment (i.e., no wind or traffic) and where the scrapings will not contaminate other evidence.

Tape-Lifting method. An optional method for collecting dried blood stains on a nonabsorbent surface is using fingerprint tape. The fingerprint-lifting tape may be placed over the stain and lifted off. The stain is transferred to the adhesive side of the tape, which may then be secured on a clear piece of acetate for submission to the laboratory. Note: When using this method, the collector must ensure the fingerprint tape is not contaminated with other biological materials.

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Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Blood and Body Fluid Collection The most common methods used to collect blood and body fluid evidence include the following: Cuttings. Remove a section of the item containing the stain using a sterile or clean cutting device.

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The Federal DNA Database Unit (FDDU) serves the greater forensic community by aiding investigations through hit confirmations against individuals whose profiles are in the National DNA Index System (NDIS). Agencies submit blood or buccal samples to the unit from individuals who are required by law to do so.
-Ayna Mahone

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The Chamberlain case shows what can happen when people involved in handling and analyzing blood evidence lack proper training, or when investigators allow public opinion or preconceived notions to influence their analysis. Akin, Louis. "Directional Analysis of Blood Spatter at Crime and Accident Scenes for the Private Investigator."
-Ayna Mahone

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ABarrow

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The collection and preservation of blood stain evidence is important because this evidence can be used to type blood or run DNA analysis.

There are two different types of blood that can be collected at a crime scene: liquid and dried blood. Liquid blood evidence is generally collected from blood pools but can be collected off of clothing as well, using a gauze pad or a sterile cotton cloth. Once the sample is collected it must be refrigerated or frozen and brought to the laboratory as quickly as possible. The sample must first be dried thoroughly at room temperature. It is important to get the sample to the laboratory as quickly as possible because after 48 hours the sample might be useless. If the sample has to be mailed it should be completely air dried before packaging. If the sample isn't completely dry when it needs to be packaged, the sample should be rolled in paper and labeled and then put into either a brown paper bag or a box. The paper bag or box is then sealed and labeled again. It is important to only place one item per container to avoid contamination and samples should not be placed in plastic containers. Samples shouldn't be in plastic containers because if the sample is still damp the moisture from the sample can cause microorganisms that can destroy the evidence. Also, due to this fact, samples should not be in any container for more than two hours.

Dried bloodstains can be found on small objects, larger objects and on clothing. When dried blood is found on a small object the entire object can be sent to the lab after it's been properly packaged and labeled. When dried blood is found on a larger object that is transportable, an investigator should cover the stained area with paper and tape the paper to the object to avoid contamination. If the object that is stained is not transportable there are different ways that an investigator can collect the sample. One option is to cut out the stained area of the large object. If the portion is cut out the sample is packaged the same way as described above but a control sample should also be provided in a separate package. Another option is to use fingerprint tape and lift the sample as well as the surrounding control area. If this method is used it is important for investigators to not touch the sticky side of the tape with bare hands and the investigator should run an eraser or some type of blunt object over the placed tape to ensure that contact is made with the dried stain. The lifted stain is then be packaged and labeled, then delivered to the laboratory. Another way to collect a sample off of an object is to use a clean sharp object to scrape flakes of the stain into a paper packet. The last two methods of collection of a dried bloodstain on a large object require the use of distilled water to dampen the stain before rolling a thread in the stain or absorbing the stain with a cotton square. These two methods are not recommended due to the risk of contamination. When dried blood is found on clothing the entire article of clothing should be packaged and labeled and delivered to the lab.

It is important for the investigator to remember to keep each sample separated so that there is no contamination between samples.

Back to Crime Library

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Blood Evidence: Collection and Preservation - Crime Museum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The collection and preservation of blood stain evidence is important because this evidence can be used to type blood or run DNA analysis. There are two different types of blood that can be collected at a crime scene: liquid and dried blood.

# data[].attributes.body
ABarrow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Blood and Body Fluid Collection

The most common methods used to collect blood and body fluid evidence include the following:

Cuttings. Remove a section of the item containing the stain using a sterile or clean cutting device.

Image courtesy of Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Removing a section of carpet containing a stain using a sterile cutting device

Wet absorption. A sterile swab, gauze pad or threads slightly moistened with distilled water. Concentrate the stain in a localized portion of the swab or pad. When a swab is used, the stain should be concentrated on the tip. The collection medium is pressed or rubbed into the stain and allowed to air-dry. Some laboratories recommend following the first moistened swabbing with a second dry swabbing to ensure thorough sample collection. Both swabs are retained and submitted for analysis.

Scraping method. The sample is scraped with a clean razor blade or scalpel, into a clean piece of paper that can be folded and packaged in a paper envelope. This is a method to be used in a controlled environment (i.e., no wind or traffic) and where the scrapings will not contaminate other evidence.

Tape-Lifting method. An optional method for collecting dried blood stains on a nonabsorbent surface is using fingerprint tape. The fingerprint-lifting tape may be placed over the stain and lifted off. The stain is transferred to the adhesive side of the tape, which may then be secured on a clear piece of acetate for submission to the laboratory. Note: When using this method, the collector must ensure the fingerprint tape is not contaminated with other biological materials.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Blood and Body Fluid Collection The most common methods used to collect blood and body fluid evidence include the following: Cuttings. Remove a section of the item containing the stain using a sterile or clean cutting device.

# data[].attributes.body
ABarrow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Starting in October 2016, FDDU began to issue a new and smaller oral DNA collection device. This new collector allows for a direct transfer from inside the cheek onto collection paper in a similar manner to the current collection device, and allows for the possibility of self-collection by offenders. Detailed instructions for its use is included in the kits, and the FD-936 form has not changed. FDDU will continue to accept the old kits, so please use all the current kits in your inventory before ordering new kits.

What We Do

The Federal DNA Database Unit (FDDU) serves the greater forensic community by aiding investigations through hit confirmations against individuals whose profiles are in the National DNA Index System (NDIS). Agencies submit blood or buccal samples to the unit from individuals who are required by law to do so. These include individuals convicted of, arrested for, or facing charges of certain qualifying federal crimes or convicted of qualifying District of Columbia offenses, as well as non-U.S. citizens who are detained under the authority of the United States. FDDU then produces a DNA profile for each of these individuals and uploads it to the NDIS, which is part of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

These known DNA profiles are then searched against unknown forensic profiles from crime scenes across the country. If a match is identified, the casework laboratory can request FDDU to confirm the offender sample DNA profile. Once the profile is confirmed, the FDDU will then release the subject's personal identifying information back to the casework laboratory. This information can then be passed on to investigators in the hopes of apprehending the perpetrator. Thanks to law enforcement agencies and their sample submissions, FDDU has uploaded over one million profiles to NDIS and has aided thousands of investigations to date.

Under the overall direction of the FDDU chief, unit operations effectively cascade across two supervisors and are guided by their respective management of integral program teams. A team of accessioning scientists handle the initial triage of submissions into the unit, inventorying samples, inputting specimen data, and preparing specimens for the beginning stages of testing. A team of laboratory scientists apply robotic processing stations and high-throughput instrumentation to generate DNA typing results from samples within days of sample acceptance. A team of reporting scientists interprets the resulting DNA profiles, approve data for upload, and author correspondence to casework laboratories regarding database associations confirmed between FDDU specimen DNA profiles and corresponding evidentiary DNA profiles.

On a compliance level, the FDDU is supported by teams of DNA technical specialists and DNA program specialists, who have critical responsibilities within the unit for ensuring the quality assurance and quality control of analytical testing, as well as conformance of database operations with established procedural requirements.

Administratively, the unit is supported by a team of management and program analysts with responsibilities for budgetary execution, procurement, inventory, and logistical applications. The unit relies heavily upon an information technology team to support the unit network and overall infrastructure backbone that drives the various operational applications.

From a technology perspective, a DNA Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is critical for the automated development of specimen works lists, controlling the stepwise progression of each sample through the entire analytical process. The FDDU utilizes robotic systems in the laboratory to achieve high-throughput processing, allowing for a day-through-evening uninterrupted workflow without human intervention, permitting maximum operational efficiency. A sophisticated software analysis tool (expert system) permits an automated review of resulting DNA data with a reduced level of scientist intervention, increasing throughput rate while consistently meeting or exceeding required performance measures.

History of the Unit and Legislation

FDDU was initially established in 2000 as the Federal Convicted Offender (FCO) Program as a result of the DNA Backlog Elimination Act. Expanding DNA legislation over the next decade significantly impacted both the scope and direction of the FCO Program, which began overseeing the uploading of DNA profiles into NDIS in 2002 and became its own unit, FDDU, in 2009. By July 2015, the unit uploaded its one millionth sample to NDIS.
Read more about major milestones in the history of FDDU and the legislation directing the unit's mission.

DNA Kit Collection Instructions

The current Bode Buccal Collection Kit, released October 1, 2016, and previous kits can be submitted to FDDU by following the instructions in the respective links. The letters "B", "C", "D", and "E" referenced for the kit will be the first character of the kit barcode printed on the main kit envelope:

The Federal DNA Database has created an instructional DVD video available for training and education about our unit and DNA collection kits. These DVDs are available for official law enforcement and other federal collection agencies only. They are free of charge; please email us at fddu@ic.fbi.gov if you would like to place an order.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact FDDU by e-mail at fddu@ic.fbi.gov, or alternatively:

By phone - (703) 632-7529

By fax - (703) 632-7620

By mail - Federal DNA Database Unit, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Quantico, VA 22135

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Federal DNA Database Unit analyzes the Core CODIS loci DNA markers from buccal and blood samples of federal convicted offenders, arrestees facing federal charges, individuals convicted of certain District of Columbia offenses, and non-U.S. citizens detained under the authority of the U.S., for development of DNA profiles that are uploaded to the National DNA Index System (NDIS).

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The prosecution's case against Darlie Routier included bloodstain pattern analysis by Tom Bevel. The National Academy of Sciences has stated that this approach to crime scene analysis is "more subjective than scientific."

Testimony by Bevel contradicted the physical evidence in the Routier case. For example, Bevel testified that because bloodstains on the right shoulder area of Darlie's nightshirt contained a mixture of Darlie's blood and each of her two children (one stain contained Darlie's blood mixed with Devon's and the other contained Darlie's blood mixed with Damon's) it showed that Darlie had to have been bleeding when the boys were stabbed.

This testimony contradicts the state's case because of the sock, found about 75 feet down an alley way that ran behind the Routier home. The sock contained Devon and Damon's blood on it. This means that by the time the sock was deposited in the alley, the Routier children had already been attacked. However, the state never explained how Darlie could have gotten the sock into the alley without leaving a trail of blood leading to or around where the sock was found. As evidenced by the crime scene photographs, Darlie bled a great deal from her injuries.

The above is a major problem because the prosecution's own expert acknowledged she had to have been bleeding when she allegedly stabbed the boys. For the prosecution to have been correct, Darlie also had to have been bleeding when she deposited the sock (which we know because blood for each child was on that sock).

Another problem with the blood evidence is that Darlie's nightshirt was cut and removed from her while she was treated by a paramedic. Though special care should have been taken to preserve the bloodstains on the shirt it appears the shirt was eventually placed into a bag prior to being dried.

In addition, the chain of custody for the shirt, as well as the clothing removed from Damon Routier, is highly problematic. The clothing was placed into bags and taken to the fire station. The items were then retrieved from the station by police.

Officer Mayne testified that he picked up two paper sacks from the fire station. He said that he opened the bags and observed blue jeans and underwear in one, and Darlie's nightshirt in the other. Nowhere in the entire trial transcripts is there a description of which sack contained the shirt Damon was wearing when he was murdered. Was the shirt placed into the bag with the jeans or with Darlie's nightshirt? This question remains and is important because of the possibility of cross-contamination of blood from one item onto another.

Darlie's shirt was also put into a paper bag without being folded or dried. Mayne testified at trial that there was blood on the bottom of the bag indicating the shirt had wet blood on it when placed into the bag. This could have allowed blood to seep from one area of the nightshirt onto another. This means that the information garnered from any of the clothing was questionable simply due to the lack of a process used to protect the integrity of the evidence, and then also the problematic chain of custody.

The nightshirt should have been inadmissible for these reasons alone, and yet Tom Bevel was given the go ahead to testify about the two above-referenced stains on the shirt. A question that no one will ever be able to answer now is if those mixed blood stains were a result of cross-contamination. Moreover, did Bevel realize that such a serious problem existed regarding the clothing and possible cross-contamination?
Tom Bevel
Tom Bevel, a charter member of the Scientific Working Group on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis ( SWGSTAIN), has testified for prosecutors throughout the nation. His testimony has helped to secure convictions of many people. He helped to convict Tim Masters who was later exonerated in 2011 due to advanced touch DNA analysis. Richard and Selma Eikelenboom helped to demonstrate that the physical evidence retrieved from murder victim Peggy Hettrick did not match Timothy Masters. Instead, it matched Peggy's ex-boyfriend, Matthew Zoellner. Tim's case is detailed here. Tim recently published a book about his experiences, with the help of coauthor Steve Lehto, called Drawn to Injustice: The Wrongful Conviction of Timothy Masters. A review of the book is here.

Tom Bevel originally testified that Peggy was murdered in the area where she was found. He later claimed that the prosecution had not shown him all the pertinent photographs relating to the case. Upon examining other existing photographs, Bevel stated that Peggy was murdered elsewhere and dumped in the location she was found. This was critical to Tim's case because police and prosecutors claimed the teenager (who was 15 at the time and did not have a car) murdered Peggy near his home and dragged her body further into the field.

Bevel was also involved in helping to convict Warren Horinek. The investigator, medical examiner, and district attorney all believed that Horinek's wife Bonnie committed suicide. However, Bonnie's parents disagreed and hired an attorney to help them obtain an indictment against Horinek. At a later trial, Horinek was convicted based on Bevel's testimony that blood on his shirt came from him shooting his wife instead of from CPR efforts that Horinek was observed conducting. A more detailed account of Warren Horinek's case is located here.

This site contains links to information about other cases Tom Bevel has been involved in that are suspected wrongful convictions. These include Jason Payne and David Camm.
Bevel's Testimony at Darlie's Trial
As described above, Tom Bevel testified at Darlie's trial on behalf of the prosecution. Lloyd Harrell testified for Darlie's defense. He was employed with a private investigation firm. Before working as a private investigator, Harrell worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a special agent.

At trial he testified that the prosecution's transcript of the 911 call Darlie made to the Rowlett police on June 6 of 1996 was not accurate. He also discussed the secret wiretapping of Devon and Damon's grave site, by the Rowlett police, stating it was an unlawful act because it violated federal law. When asked if he had seen a warrant or other document authorizing the secret recordings, Harrell stated that he hadn't.

On December 30th of 1996, before Darlie's murder trial, Harrell met with Tom Bevel, Douglas Mulder, Richard Mosty, and Curtis Glober. He testified that Bevel made "materially different" statements during that meeting then the ones he made under oath and on the stand.

Bevel explained in the meeting that specific bloodstains had been picked for testing for several reasons. Harrell testified: "His first concern was that a stain must have directionality. He explained that directional means in a bloodstain that one axis of the stain is longer than the other one. From the axis he then can determine the directionality, whether the stain is up or down or sideways. In order to make a proper determination, he indicated he made every effort to sample a single stain as multiple stains may cloud the issue of directionality."

During the meeting, Bevel informed the attendees that one of the issues regarding the stains in question was that they contained a mixture of Darlie and her children's blood. As described above, the lab reports show that Darlie was the main contributor of each blood stain. Each individual stain contained a minor contribution from each of her children. There was no way to determine how the stains became mixed.

Bevel's statements during the December meeting were not in line with his later testimony at Darlie's trial. At trial Bevel attempted to suggest that the mixed bloodstains occurred due to two separate events involving cast off or blood spatter. Harrell was asked on the stand if he believed that Bevel's testimony was contradictory to what he told people in the earlier meeting. He said the following:

"Absolutely, for this reason: In Oklahoma City he was asked at least twice, does this mean that each of those stains, the knife tip had to contain the blood of Darlie and the blood of one of her children?" Harrell stated that Bevel's answer was "yes".
Other Cases Involving Bevel
As discussed on the evidence page, Tom Bevels name comes up in other cases that are confirmed or suspected wrongful convictions. The following include cases Bevel has been involved in and the circumstances surrounding each. Click on the links to read more about each one.

The following are cases where people were exonerated after having been convicted at trials where Tom Bevel testified on the side of the prosecution.

The book And Justice for No One discusses Tom Bevel's testimony on behalf of the prosecution. Parts of the book are available here.
The Knife
A separate, but seemingly related problem existed with the knife as well. The prosecution claimed that a single knife was used in the attack and that the knife came from inside the Routier home. However, when the knife in question was tested for DNA only Darlie and Damon's blood was identified on it. Devon's blood was not. The prosecution did not try Darlie for Devon's murder, however. They only tried her for Damon's.

Some have said that prosecutor Greg Davis only sought a conviction against Darlie for Damon's murder because he planned to try her for Devon's if she was acquitted. However, this does not make sense because since blood from Damon was found on the knife, and blood from Devon was not, it means the state's case that Darlie committed the murders was stronger in Damon's case then Devon's. If the prosecution had been unsuccessful in getting a conviction for Damon's murder, they would have been even less likely to get a conviction for Devon's.

Due to Damon's age at the time of his murder, the offense qualified as a capital one. When convicted for the murder, Darlie received the death penalty. At least one juror has emerged to state that he now believes Darlie is innocent and that he made a mistake in his decision to declare her guilty.
Bloody Towels
Towels found in the living room and the hallway confirmed claims made by Darin and Darlie that she had gone into the kitchen to get towels and also wet towels in the sink. A more thorough write up on the towels may be found by clicking here.
Darlie's Pillow
The prosecution contended that Darlie cut her own throat while she stood at the kitchen sink. However, blood from Darlie's pillow (and the pillow cover) supports that her throat was cut while she was sleeping on the couch. Pictures of this evidence were entered as exhibits at trial, but the myth that there was no blood on Darlie's pillow erroneously persists to this day. Click on the pictures below to see the larger version.

The blood was mentioned at trial when defense attorney Richard Mosty questioned Charles Linch.

Mosty: Now, did you ever see this maroon pillow?
Linch: Yes, I did.
Mosty: Did you take that?
Linch: No, I didn't.
Mosty: Who collected that?
Linch: That was collected by the Rowlett Police Department.
Mosty: And, it had blood, it had - this maroon pillow had blood on both sides of it, didn't it?
Linch: Right.

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The prosecution's case against Darlie Routier included bloodstain pattern analysis by Tom Bevel. The National Academy of Sciences has stated that this approach to crime scene analysis is "more subjective than scientific." Testimony by Bevel contradicted the physical evidence in the Routier case. For example, Bevel testified that because bloodstains on the right shoulder area...

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-ViKira Johnson

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-ViKira Johnson

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-Vikira Johnson

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The Three General Methods of Blood Collection

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Blood collection is a vital procedure in blood testing. Proper blood collection is required to ensure the reliability of results. The general methods for blood collection are (note that this is only a reference guide - you should only attempt this if you are a professional): 1.

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-ViKira Johnson

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-Vikira Johnson

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The entire world paid attention in 1986 when Lindy Chamberlain claimed that a dingo ate her baby, Azaria. Tragically, a family in mourning would soon find themselves dealing with a media circus and two wrongful convictions. So-called forensic experts found evidence that Lindy had slit her baby's throat in the family vehicle. The problem with this, though, is that the "evidence" wasn't actually blood at all; it was spilled juice.

Lindy Chamberlain was convicted of murder and her husband was charged with being an accessory to murder, mostly due to public opinion. Lindy was imprisoned for three years before a new piece of evidence - the baby's jacket - was found to exonerate her. Despite this happening in 1986, the baby's official cause of death wasn't changed to death by dingo until 2012.

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Criminal Cases That Hinged On Blood Spatter Analysis

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Blood spatter analysts, who have the job made famous by Dexter Morgan on Showtime's Dexter, are modern day heroes in cases that may otherwise go unsolved. It's important to note, though, that blood spatter analysts aren't infallible. While scientific, this area of forensics is open to human...