USA. A woman’s roommate found her beaten to death on a mattress located on the floor of their living room in front of a couch in the apartment they shared. The roommate denied participation in the homicide. The victim had sustained severe blunt force injuries of the head. The location of impact spatter on the left edge of the couch and wall behind indicated that blows were struck to the victim while her head was consistent with a sitting position as well as in her final position. Multiple cast-off stains were present on the ceiling over the mattress. A bloodstained aluminum softball bat, which exhibited multiple dents, was located in the bathroom. The blood on the bat was determined to be consistent with that of the victim.
Fig.1 Victim of blunt-force injury on mattress on floor of living room showing spattered blood on lower portion of couch.
Fig.2 Extensive blunt-force injuries to face and head of victim.
Fig.3 The location of impact spatter on the left edge of the couch and wall.
Fig.4 The location of impact spatter.
Crime scene investigators noticed apparent bloodstains on the clothing and legs of the roommate as she was being questioned. An area on the left sleeve and upper left rear of her T-shirt contained several cast-off bloodstains that were consistent with the blood of the victim. Her shorts contained a single small bloodstain, and a few impact spatters were present on her lower legs. In an attempt to explain these bloodstains she stated that all she remembered was standing over the victim on the mattress with a bat in her hand. She was ultimately convicted at trial.
Fig.5 Bloodstained aluminum baseball bat found in bathroom determined to be weapon used in assault on victim.
Fig.6 Extensive blunt-force injuries to face and head of victim.
Fig.7 Blunt force injuries on the chest.
Fig.8 Blunt force injuries on the shoulder.
Occasionally, the location of bloodstain patterns may suggest in which hand a weapon was held while being swung. This interpretation should be made with caution with the possibility of a two-handed or backhanded delivery kept in mind. Cast-off bloodstains on the rear of an individual’s shirt or the back of the trouser legs may be produced while swinging the weapon overhead in a leaning or kneeling position. Cast-off bloodstains on the front of an individual’s clothing may indicate proximity to a bloodshed event rather than actual participation in the beating or stabbing event.
Fig.9 Blood stains on the hand.
Fig.10 Upper-left sleeve and shoulder area of defendant’s shirt showing cast-off stains.
Fig.11 Crime scene investigators noticed apparent bloodstains on the clothing and legs of the roommate.
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