Automated reconstruction of cast-off blood spatter patterns based on Euclidean geometry and statistical likelihood

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2021-02-01
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McCleary, Scott
Liscio, Eugene
De Brabanter, Kris
Attinger, Daniel
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Attinger, Daniel
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Mechanical Engineering
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University is where innovation thrives and the impossible is made possible. This is where your passion for problem-solving and hands-on learning can make a real difference in our world. Whether you’re helping improve the environment, creating safer automobiles, or advancing medical technologies, and athletic performance, the Department of Mechanical Engineering gives you the tools and talent to blaze your own trail to an amazing career.
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Statistics
As leaders in statistical research, collaboration, and education, the Department of Statistics at Iowa State University offers students an education like no other. We are committed to our mission of developing and applying statistical methods, and proud of our award-winning students and faculty.
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Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
The Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering teaches the design, analysis, and improvement of the systems and processes in manufacturing, consulting, and service industries by application of the principles of engineering. The Department of General Engineering was formed in 1929. In 1956 its name changed to Department of Industrial Engineering. In 1989 its name changed to the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering.
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Mechanical EngineeringStatisticsIndustrial and Manufacturing Systems EngineeringCenter for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence
Abstract

Cast-off spatter patterns exhibit linear trails of elliptical stains. These characteristic patterns occur by centrifugal forces that detach drops from a swinging object covered with blood or other liquid. This manuscript describes a method to reconstruct the motion, or swing, of the object. The method is based on stain inspection and Euclidean geometry. The reconstructed swing is represented as a three-dimensional region of statistical likelihood. The reconstruction uncertainty corresponds to the volume of the reconstructed region, which is specific to the uncertainties of the case at hand. Simple numerical examples show that the reconstruction method is able to reconstruct multiple swings that are either intersecting or adjacent to each other. The robustness, spatial convergence, computing time of the reconstruction method is characterized. For the purpose of this study, about 20 cast-off experiments are produced, with motion of the swinging object documented using video and/or accelerometers. The swings follow circular or arbitrary paths, and are either human- or machine-made. The reconstruction results are compared with the experimentally documented swings. Agreement between measured and reconstructed swings is very good, typically within less than 10 cm. The method used in this study is implemented as a numerical code written in an open source language, provided in an open access repository, for purposes of transparency and access.

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This is a manuscript of an article published as McCleary, Scott, Eugene Liscio, Kris De Brabanter, and Daniel Attinger. "Automated Reconstruction of Cast-off Blood Spatter Patterns based on Euclidean Geometry and Statistical Likelihood." Forensic Science International (2020): 110628. DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110628. Posted with permission.

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Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2020
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