UPDATES IN FORENSIC SERVICES RELATED TO BLOODSTAIN PATTERN ANALYSIS

National Forensic Laboratory Services (NFLS) would like to notify all investigators and employees involved with Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) of some reforms taking place over the next few weeks.

NFLS has been accepting multiple BPA exhibits for DNA analysis that are often redundant. In one case, NFLS accepted 35 separate exhibits involving bloodstain samples from the same cast‐off pattern. Each one resulted in the development of the same DNA profile. Starting immediately, representatives at the NFLS Forensic Assessment Centre (FAC) will be inquiring about the forensic relevance of BPA‐related service requests and will significantly narrow down the number of exhibits that will be accepted by NFLS for DNA analysis. As a general rule, no more than 3 exhibits associated with one “bleeder” will be accepted. Investigators can choose to contact a private laboratory to conduct DNA analysis if the purpose of the analysis is intended to support or validate BPA conclusions and/or does not require uploads to CODIS.

Please note that once you choose to send your BPA‐related exhibit to a private laboratory, it will not be possible to submit any further exhibits for that file/case to NFLS for analysis (or uploads to CODIS) at a later date.

These reforms ensure a quicker more efficient turnaround time in the delivery of forensic services. We thank you in advance for your understanding and for contributing to a process that supports timely criminal proceedings. Sincerely, R.O. Gosselin, Insp. Acting Director Forensic Science Operations National Forensic Laboratory Services