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The Bloodstain Evidence Institute (Founded in March 1973)
Announces its Corning, New York Program of Instruction on
Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation
HERBERT LEON MACDONELL, DIRECTOR T. PAULETTE SUTTON, ASSOCIATE
Post Office Box 1111 Corning, New York 14830
Please Email Dr. MacDonell for a complete brochure and registration form.
GENERAL INFORMATION: During five days of intensive study students attend lectures and conduct laboratory exercises which allow them to observe physical characteristics and behavior of human blood. Correlations between cause-effect relationships from experiments are based upon their own firsthand knowledge. Students produce bloodstain patterns under known conditions which they can preserve and retain as their own reference standards. These may later be used by making comparisons between their standards and bloodstain patterns they find at crime scenes.
The primary objective of the Institute is to demonstrate practical techniques for the students. While there is no minimum educational requirement to be accepted into the class, each student should have knowledge of how to use a calculator to perform basic mathematical functions. A scientific calculator having a sin-1 or arc sin capability will be provided to each student.
Students who complete the five-day Institute will acquire a better understanding of, and greater appreciation for, bloodstain pattern evidence. In many instances such evidence allows reconstruction of prior events that not only could have, but must have, occurred to emphasize the value of evidence of this type. Almost everyone in law enforcement is aware of many cases that have been solved using reconstruction, and how a story told by the defendant was proven to be impossible.
The Bloodstain Evidence Institute does not make “instant experts” of those in attendance. To be accepted in a court as an expert additional study and research are required. The Bloodstain Evidence Institute is a course of study in pattern recognition. It is concerned with the geometric shape of bloodstain patterns. It is not a course in serology.
*The Bloodstain Evidence Institute is the oldest educational program of its type in the world.
INSTRUCTORS: The Bloodstain Evidence Institute will be conducted by Herbert Leon MacDonell who has a Bachelor’s degree from Alfred University and both a Master’s and a Doctorate degree from the University of Rhode Island. Professor MacDonell developed the Institute in March 1973 and to date he has conducted it sixty-eight times in twelve states, District of Columbia, Australia, Sweden, England, and Holland. Over seventeen hundred students from forty-seven states and twenty-five foreign countries have attended the Bloodstain Institute. Professor MacDonell has also directed over eighty seminars of from one to four days duration on bloodstain evidence and has presented over six hundred lectures on the physical significance of bloodstain patterns in Australia, England, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Switzerland, and at many meetings throughout the United States and Canada. Professor MacDonell testified on the subject of bloodstain pattern interpretation in thirty-four states, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, and Germany. He is considered to be the foremost educator in this discipline. Identification Officers should recognize him as the inventor of the MAGNA Brush™ and subject of the book, The Evidence Never Lies. Professor MacDonell has authored numerous articles, chapters, and books on the subject of bloodstain pattern interpretation. His book, Bloodstain Patterns, is recognized as the standard reference in this discipline.
Professor T. Paulette Sutton has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas. She is Assistant Director of Forensic Services at the Regional Forensic Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Professor Sutton has been consulted on numerous criminal cases and has considerable experience in interpreting bloodstain patterns. She has been an expert witness in many cases and will discuss some of these during the Institute. She will also present theory and supervise some of the laboratory experiments. Professor Sutton is Associate Professor of Clinical Laboratory Services at the University of Tennessee, a frequent lecturer at Forensic meetings, and has been a faculty member at the Bloodstain Evidence Institute since 2002.
Phyllis A. MacDonell has a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Speech from Milton College in Wisconsin. She has been a participant during twenty-four previous Institutes and is an expert on the Mary Johnson homicide case.
Laura Pettler has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Forensics from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. She is an Associate of the Laboratory of Forensic Science and a private forensic consultant in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Laura is the Forensic Investigator for Prosecutorial District Twenty A of North Carolina. She is a graduate of the Bloodstain Evidence Institute and currently lectures and assists students with their laboratory experiments during the Institute. Laura has been an assistant during six prior Institutes
Anita Zannin Chemistry from Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York. She is an Associate of the Laboratory of Forensic Science and a private forensic consultant in Liverpool, New York. Anita is a graduate of the Bloodstain Evidence Institute and presents lectures and assists students with their laboratory experiments. Anita has assisted with four prior Institutes.
Scott MacDonell has a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York, Oswego and a Master’s degree from the State University of New York, Brockport. He retired as Principal of Red Jacket High School and was the Director of education programs for the New York State Education Department. Scott will present some lecture material and assist students with their laboratory experiments. He has assisted with five prior Institutes.
Lauren Nadkarni is a student at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts where she is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. She has assisted Professor MacDonell with three prior Institutes as well as with the investigation of a shooting death in Pennsylvania.
CLASS SIZE: Each class is restricted to twenty-five to thirty students to allow as much individual participation in laboratory exercises as possible. If you wish to enroll in the Institute it is suggested that you register as early as possible to have a place reserved for you in the class. Tuition payment with your registration insures your acceptance as long as the class has not already been filled to capacity.
COURSE OUTLINE: Lecture and/or laboratory exercises cover the following topics. INTRODUCTION THE HISTORY OF BLOODSTAIN PATTERN INTERPRETATION CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUID BLOOD TARGET SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS AND SPATTER BLOODSTAIN CHARACTERISTICS: SHAPE OF SPOT BLOODSTAIN CHARACTERISTICS: SIZE OF SPOT IMPACT ANGLE CONSIDERATIONS: VERTICAL DROP/ ANGULAR TARGET IMPACT ANGLE CONSIDERATIONS: ANGULAR DROP/ HORIZONTAL TARGET ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORIGIN OF SPATTER IN SPACE DRIPPED AND SPLASHED BLOOD STAIN PATTERNS RESULTING FROM PROJECTED BLOOD BLOOD SPATTERED FROM MEDIUM VELOCITY IMPACT BLOOD SPATTERED FROM HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT CAST-OFF BLOODSTAIN PATTERNS EXPIRATED BLOODSTAIN PATTERNS TRANSFER BLOODSTAIN PATTERNS BLOODSTAINS AS A CHRONOMETER SEQUENCE OF BLOODSTAINS RECOVERING AND DOCUMENTING BLOODSTAIN PATTERN EVIDENCE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
BLOOD: Human blood used during the laboratory exercises does not pose a biological hazard risk. Blood obtained from the American Red Cross is thoroughly tested before it is released. Although we have a certificate from them to that effect we still are very careful. Also, gloves are provided for every student.
CAMERAS: Students are encouraged to bring still and/or video cameras to record both the bloodstain patterns they prepare as well as the experiments they conduct to produce them. Any good 35mm with a macro lens, or a digital camera, should give excellent results. Students can also take their patterns with them for future reference.
LOCATION: The Bloodstain Institute is conducted in a lecture and laboratory setting. A two-hour laboratory period is held following a morning and afternoon lecture Tuesday through Thursday afternoon.
TUITION: Tuition for attending the Institute is seven hundred and ninety-five dollars ($795). This provides each student with a copy of Professor MacDonell’s latest textbook, laboratory manual, the History of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation, a protractor, a scientific calculator, handouts, coffee before class each morning and throughout the day, noon meals and a graduation luncheon on Friday noon. Attendance at this luncheon is required but if airline reservations present a problem with this schedule we can discuss it.
PAYMENT: Payment should accompany registration. However, it may be delayed until six weeks before the first day of class if absolutely necessary. In the past, we have had agencies that were months late in payment of a student’s tuition and in one case, over a year. This is unacceptable and, as a result, we cannot accept students if we have not received their tuition by the first day of the Institute. It is the student’s responsibility to insure we receive their tuition payment at least six weeks before the first day of class. Vouchers will be accepted provided payment is received by the deadline. If we have not received a student’s tuition by the deadline, he or she could be replaced by someone on the waiting list. We regret that we are unable to accept tuition payment by credit card. Insufficient registration, or any other valid reason, may cause an Institute to be canceled. In this unlikely event, full refund is made to all who have registered. The Institute, like any program, cannot open without sufficient student registration and tuition payment well in advance of the Institute if it is to be held. Full tuition refund is made when a cancellation is received four weeks before the first day of an Institute. One-half tuition is refunded if we receive notification two weeks before the first day of an Institute, and normally no refund is made after that.
DRESS: It is recommended that students bring jump suits, aprons, or laboratory coats since their clothing could become slightly bloodstained if they participate in the laboratory exercises. For those who do not have such protective wear it will be provided but if your department issues it to you please bring it.
LODGING: The Corning Radisson Hotel is most convenient as it is across a side street to the meeting room, however, we recommend the Holiday Inn Staybridge Suites or the Comfort Inn which are less expensive and only a five-minute drive or fifteen-minute walk to class. A car pool is usually available. Both provide a hot breakfast but the Radisson does not. If you would like to share a room or a suite please advise us when you register and we will explore the possibility of finding someone with whom you could share expenses. The best deal for two is to share a room at the Comfort Inn where the rent for two is the same as for one and for $10.00 more a roll-away bed can be put in the room for a third person. The rate for a studio (single) suite at the Staybridge is $60,00 at the government rate. The rate for a double room at the Staybridge is $124.00 and a pullout queen bed is in the room. They also have two bedroom suites at $155.00 that have two complete and private bathrooms, and a common living room and a pullout queen bed. All of the Staybridge Suites have all the pots, pans, and dishes you need as well as popcorn for the microwave, several televisions and high-speed Internet connections. These suites are ideal for three people with two sharing one bedroom and the third having complete privacy. The Radisson number is (607) 962-5000, the Staybridge Inn is (607) 936-7800, and the Comfort Inn is (607) 962-1515. Each student is responsible for making his or her own reservation. Request the government rate or mention that you are attending the Bloodstain Institute or just “Blood” when registering.
TRANSPORTATION: It is convenient to fly into the Elmira/Corning regional airport, (ELM). There are several direct flights from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia daily on USAirways. If you will let us know your flight number and arrival time, at least a week before the Institute, we will meet your flight and bring you to the motel. Staying over Saturday night may reduce your airfare considerably. Besides, there is much to see in Corning on that Saturday. The Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art are known worldwide. You should take advantage of being in Corning and try to visit both of them.
CERTIFICATES: Certificates will be awarded to students who successfully complete the course requirements of the Institute.
SAVE MONEY: Keep in mind that if you remain over Saturday night you may be able to get a much lower air fare so you may want to arrive early or stay later.
PRIOR STUDENTS: We have had students from 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 8 of the 10 Canadian Provinces, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, The Republic of China, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Wales.
PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS TAKE NOTICE: This course has been approved for eight (8.00) hours of continuing education by The Coroners Education Board under the provision of Act 22 of 1988.
COMMENTS: This is a hands-on learning experience. Several former students have felt that the Bloodstain Evidence Institute is the most practical school they have ever attended. Some of the typical comments we have received are:
I did my first BPA course in 1999 with Herb. MacDonell and since then have found it to be an invaluable aid in crime scene work and the selection of stains for analysis. I am the Irish contact person for the IABPA. Dr. Martina McBride, Forensic Science Lab,Garda Hq.Phoenix Park,Dublin 8, Ireland
“This officer and several other officers believe that without your seminar [sic] on blood spatter that Jones would have walked away a free man. You and your knowledge of blood and how it reacts is a vital part of law enforcement. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us in New Orleans.” Det. Sgt. Mike Downs, Longview Police Department, Longview, TX . “ I learned more during the first day of your Institute than I did the entire week in the first Bloodstain Workshop I took last year. I thank you very much for your excellent instruction, especially how you explained science in an understandable manner.” Inspector Bengt G. Aspergern, Swedish National Police College, Solna, Sweden.
“I would like to commend you on your excellent school, and your teaching ability. I have been assigned to our I.D. Bureau for eleven years and have never attended any school as informative and well presented as yours. It is certainly a “must” for any full time homicide/I.D. investigator, and has already proven immensely helpful.” Harold Scott, San Buenaventura Police Department, CA.
“ The information I learned from you and my fellow classmates served as a wonderful introduction to the field. I am now even more anxious to pursue a career in forensics.” Jennifer Adamski, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL.
“ I have many certificates from various schools and feel that I have benefited some from each one, but your course was the most beneficial individual course I have ever attended.” Captain Charles D. Grant, Excambria County Sheriff’s Department, Pensacola, FL.
“ I have learned more from your course about reconstruction of a crime scene by blood stains than any other course I have attended.” Mike Phillips, Appelton Police Department, Appleton, WI.
Anonymous comments made on the student’s appraisal forms at the end of the week:
“Instructor MacDonell’s knowledge of this topic is obviously extensive. His experiences are endless. Instructor MacDonell’s unique ability of explanations is remarkable. Paulette and Laura were also very helpful with clarification. This class was outstanding, one of the best I’ve attended in 16 years in law enforcement.”
“I am very glad I had the privilege to work with such wonderful people. I’m grateful to all those who helped me this week – I learned an enormous amount.”
“All instructors were very enthusiastic and brought much insight and experience to the course. I had learned the basics of the subject previously, and this course helped bring the knowledge to real life. It is quite an honor to be here.”
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Mailing Address: Carolina Forensics PO Box 572 Waxhaw, North Carolina 28173 |