OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

1

OSAC 2022-N-0010

Standards for 

Development of an 

Accredited Bloodstain 

Pattern Analyst 

Certification Program

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee

Physics/Pattern Interpretation Scientific Area Committee

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

2

Draft OSAC Proposed Standard

OSAC 2022-N-0010

Standards for Development of an 

Accredited Bloodstain Pattern Analyst 

Certification Program

Prepared by 

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Version: 1.0

October 2021

Disclaimer:

This OSAC Proposed Standard was written by the (subcommittee) of the Organization of Scientific Area 

Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science following a process that includes an open comment period. 

This Proposed Standard will be submitted to a standards developing organization and is subject to 

change.

There may be references in an OSAC Proposed Standard to other publications under development by 

OSAC. The information in the Proposed Standard, and underlying concepts and methodologies, may be 

used by the forensic-science community before the completion of such companion publications.

Any identification of commercial equipment, instruments, or materials in the Proposed Standard is not a 

recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Government and does not imply that the equipment, 

instruments, or materials are necessarily the best available for the purpose.
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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1 Standards for Development of an Accredited Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification Program

2

3

4 1 Foreword

5

6 A bloodstain pattern analyst certification program is a means to ensure the competency, 

7 reliability, and quality of the work product of a bloodstain pattern analyst. This document 

8 provides guidance in the preparation and participation in an accredited certification program for 

9 the discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) and for bodies providing certification 

10 examination programs. Administration of the process shall be governed and conducted by an 

11 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accredited body.

12

13 2 Scope

14

15 This document targets those persons who have successfully completed the “Standards for a 

Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, ANSI/ASB Standard 032, 1st 16 Edition, 2020”

17 planning to pursue BPA certification and for those entities providing the certification 

18 examination program. Administration of the process shall be governed and conducted by an 

19 ISO accredited body while the certification scheme owner shall be a standard development 

20 organization (SDO).

21

22 3 Normative References

23

Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, ANSI/ASB Standard 032, 1st 24

25 Edition, 2020 (http://www.asbstandardsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/032_Std_e1.pdf).

26

27 4 Terms and Definitions

28

29 4.1 Terms

30

31 The following terms are meant to convey the meanings specified.

32

33 4.1.1 

34 shall - used to indicate that a provision is mandatory (unless otherwise documented for non35 compliance).

36

37 4.1.2 

38 should - used to indicate that a provision is not mandatory but recommended as good practice.

39

40 4.2 Definitions

41

42 For purposes of this document, the following definitions and acronyms apply.

43

44 4.2.1
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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45 applicant - person who has submitted an application for admission into the certification

46 process.

47

48 4.2.2

49 assessment - process that evaluates a person's fulfilment of the requirements of the 

50 certification scheme.

51

52 4.2.3

53 bloodstain pattern analyst - An individual who has successfully completed the training program 

54 set forth in “Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, ANSI/ASB Standard 

032, 1st 55 Edition, 2020”.

56

57 4.2.4

58 candidate - applicant who has fulfilled specified prerequisites and has been admitted to the 

59 certification process.

60

61 4.2.5

62 certificate - document issued by the certification exam provider indicating that the named 

63 person has fulfilled the certification requirements.

64

65 4.2.6

66 certification - the process by which a person is tested with regard to knowledge, skill and ability 

67 and deemed competent to reliably practice the discipline for which they have been certified.

68

69 4.2.7

70 certification process - activities by which the certification exam provider determines that a 

71 person fulfils certification requirements, including application, assessment, and certification, 

72 recertification.

73

74 4.2.8

75 certification scheme - competence and other requirements related to specific occupational or 

76 skilled categories of persons.

77

78 4.2.9

79 certification requirements - set of specified requirements, including requirements of the 

80 scheme to be fulfilled in order to establish or maintain certification.

81

82 4.2.10

83 Competency - demonstration that a forensic science practitioner has acquired and 

84 demonstrated specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities in the standard practices necessary to 

85 conduct examinations in a discipline or category of testing prior to performing independent 

86 casework.

87

88 4.2.11
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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89 examination - mechanism that is part of the assessment which measures a candidate's 

90 competence by one or more means, such as written, oral, practical, and observational, as 

91 defined in the certification scheme.

92

93 4.2.12

94 examiner - person competent to conduct and score an examination, where the examination 

95 requires professional judgement.

96

97 4.2.13

98 forensic science practitioner - an individual who (1) applies scientific or technical practices to 

99 the recognition, collection, analysis, or interpretation of evidence for criminal and civil law or 

100 regulatory issues, and (2) issues test results, provides reports, or provides interpretations, 

101 conclusions, or opinions through testimony with respect to such evidence.

102

103 4.2.14

104 knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) - the level of information, qualifications, and experience 

105 needed to perform assigned tasks.

106

107 4.2.15

108 proctor - person, authorized by the certification exam provider, who administers or supervises 

109 a certification test, but does not evaluate the competency of the candidate.

110

111 5 Job and Task Description

112

113 Bloodstain pattern analysis involves documentation, evaluation, and analysis of bloodstain 

114 patterns; specifically, the size, shape, distribution, appearance, and location of the bloodstains, 

115 as well as the surfaces upon which the blood was deposited. The bloodstain pattern analyst

116 uses their knowledge, skills, training, and experience to evaluate the bloodstain(s) and relevant 

117 case evidence through application of the scientific method.

118

119 6 Application and Administration

120 Application and administration of the certification program shall be the responsibility of the 

121 certification exam provider.

122

123 6.1 Application Process

124

125 6.1.1

126 The applicant shall file an application in accordance with the certification examination 

127 provider’s requirements.

128

129 6.1.2

130 The applicant shall provide proof of having successfully completed the “Standards for a 

131 Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, ANSI/ASB Standard 032, 1st Edition, 2020”.

132
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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133 6.2 Assessment Process 

134

135 6.2.1

136 The certification process shall consist of five examination components developed by 

137 certified bloodstain pattern analysts. All certification examinations shall be proctored.

138

139 6.2.1.1

140 Proctor is approved and designated by the certification exam provider.

141

142 6.2.1.2

143 Candidate has eight (8) hours to complete the examination. The examination shall be divided

144 into the following five components:

145

146 6.2.1.2.1

147 Pattern Classification: classify a minimum of twenty (20) bloodstain patterns. 

148

149 6.2.1.2.2

150 Practical Exercise: a minimum of 1 (one) Area of Convergence/Area of Origin Determination.

151

152 6.2.1.2.3

153 Comprehensive Scene Exercise: a section to test the candidate’s analytical abilities regarding 

154 BPA principles where the candidate is provided bloodstain photographs and investigative 

155 questions. There shall be a minimum of ten (10) scenarios.

156

157 6.2.1.2.4

158 Written Examination: consisting of a minimum of 150 multiple choice and true-false questions. 

159 The written examination shall include the topic areas below with the questions apportioned as 

160 follows:

161

162 6.2.1.2.4.1

163 Properties of blood

164

165 6.2.1.2.4.1 .1

166 Composition

167

168 6.2.1.2.4.1 .2

169 Clotting

170

171 6.2.1.2.4.1 .3

172 Drying

173

174 6.2.1.2.4.2

175 Physics

176
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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177 6.2.1.2.4.2.1

178 Surface tension

179

180 6.2.1.2.4.2.2

181 Viscosity

182

183 6.2.1.2.4.2.3

184 Target surface

185

186 6.2.1.2.4.2.4

187 Forces

188

189 6.2.1.2.4.2.4.1

190 Gravity

191

192 6.2.1.2.4.2.4.2

193 Air Resistance/Aerodynamic Drag

194

195 6.2.1.2.4.2.4.3

196 External forces

197

198 6.2.1.2.4.2.4.4

199 Adhesive/Cohesive properties

200

201 6.2.1.2.4.2.5

202 Flight Patterns

203

204 6.2.1.2.4.2.6

205 Newton’s Laws

206

207 6.2.1.2.4.2.7

208 Cast-off Mechanism

209

210 6.2.1.2.4.3

211 Mathematical Equations

212

213 6.2.1.2.4.3.1

214 Basic Trigonometry

215

216 6.2.1.2.4.4

217 Interaction with fabrics

218

219 6.2.1.2.4.4.1

220 Woven vs. knit fabric composition
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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221

222 6.2.1.2.4.4.2

223 Awareness of distortion of bloodstain on fabric

224

225 6.2.1.2.4.5

226 Pattern Classification

227

228 6.2.1.2.4.6

229 Documentation

230

231 6.2.1.2.4.6.1

232 Photography

233

234 6.2.1.2.4.6.1.1

235 Bloodstain Patterns

236

237 6.2.1.2.4.6.1.2

238 Road mapping

239

240 6.2.1.2.4.6.1.3

241 Bloodstain Evidence 

242

243 6.2.1.2.4.6.2

244 Sketching

245

246 6.2.1.2.4.6.3

247 Notes

248

249 6.2.1.2.4.7

250 Terminology

251

252 6.2.1.2.4.8

253 Report Writing

254

255 6.2.1.2.4.9

256 Bias in BPA

257

258 6.2.1.2.4.10

259 Ethics in BPA

260

261 6.2.1.2.4.11

262 Recognition of Staged Scenes

263

264 6.2.1.2.4.12
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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265 Standards of evidence

266

267 6.2.1.2.4.13

268 History

269

270 6.2.1.2.4.14

271 Safety/PPE Consideration

272

273 6.2.1.2.4.15

274 Circulatory System

275

276 6.2.1.2.4.16

277 Serological/DNA considerations

278

279 6.2.1.2.4.17

280 Wound Dynamics

281

282 6.2.1.2.4.17.1

283 External Injuries

284

285 6.2.1.2.4.17.2

286 Internal Injuries

287

288 6.2.1.2.4.18

289 Detection/Enhancement/Collection

290

291 6.2.1.2.4.19

292 Chemical

293

294 6.2.1.2.4.20

295 ALS/IR

296

297 6.2.1.3

298 Legal issues shall be tested on in the written exam portion. Suggested topics to be tested on are 

299 issues surrounding qualification and admissibility of the analyst and evidence and notable cases 

300 to the bloodstain pattern analysis community.

301

302 6.2.1.3.1

303 Voir dire

304

305 6.2.1.3.2

306 Discovery and disclosure

307

308 6.2.1.3.3
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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309 Frye and Daubert Standard

310

311 6.2.1.3.4

312 Federal Rules of Evidence

313

314 6.2.1.3.5

315 Landmark Court Decisions

316

317 6.2.1.3.6

318 Notable bloodstain pattern analysis cases

319

320 6.2.2

321 Assessment scoring shall adhere to the following guidance: 

322

323 6.2.2.1

324 The minimum passing score on the written and pattern identification examination components

325 shall be established by the certification exam provider. The recommended minimum passing 

326 score for both is 75%. The practical exercise and the comprehensive scene exercise shall be

327 graded on a pass/fail basis.

328

329 6.2.2.2

330 If a candidate fails any one of the five components of the certification examination, the 

331 certification exam provider shall require a six-month waiting period to apply to retake the failed 

332 component. The six-month waiting period starts on the date the candidate was notified of their 

333 assessment score by the certification exam provider.

334

335 6.2.2.3

336 If a candidate fails two or more components of the certification examination, the certification 

337 exam provider shall require a 12-month waiting period to apply to retake the entire 

338 examination (all five components). The 12-month waiting period starts on the date the 

339 candidate was notified of their assessment score by the certification test provider.

340

341 7 Recertification Criteria

342

343 7.1

344 Certification shall be in effect for a period of five years from the date of issue. Application and 

345 administration of the recertification scheme shall be the responsibility of the certification exam

346 provider.

347

348 7.2

349 The certification exam provider shall establish a minimum requirement for annual continuing 

350 education. It is recommended that there is an average of 8 hours of continuing education per 

351 year for a period of 5 years.

352
OSAC 2022-N-0010 Standard for a 

Certification Program for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts

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353 7.3

354 Applicants for recertification shall be required to:

355

356 7.3.1

357 Provide proof of continued involvement in the bloodstain pattern analysis discipline. 

358 Documentation of continued involvement in the bloodstain pattern analysis discipline shall be 

359 defined by the certification exam provider.

360

361 7.3.2

362 Participate in an examination demonstrating continued competency in the area of bloodstain 

363 pattern analysis. The examination shall consist of the following three components:

364

365 7.3.2.1

366 Pattern classification: classify ten (10) bloodstain patterns.

367

368 7.3.2.2

369 Practical Exercise: 1 (one) Area of Convergence/Area of Origin Determination utilizing Tangent 

370 Method.

371

372 7.3.2.3

373 Comprehensive Scene Exercise: a section to test the candidate’s analytical abilities regarding 

374 BPA principles where the candidate is provided bloodstain photographs and investigative 

375 questions. There shall be a minimum of ten (10) scenarios.

376

377 7.3.2.47.3.2.4

378 All recertification examinations shall be proctored.