OSAC 2021-N-0039, Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

1

OSAC 2021-N-0039

Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain 

Pattern Analysis

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Physics/Pattern Interpretation Scientific Area Committee (SAC)

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
OSAC 2021-N-0039, Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

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OSAC Proposed Standard

OSAC 2021-N-0039

Standard for a Mentorship Program in 

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Prepared by 

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee

Version: 2.0

February 2022

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 2021-N-0039, Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

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Standard for a Mentorship Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Foreword

A bloodstain pattern analyst training program is necessary to ensure the competency and 

quality of the work product. Mentorship is an essential element of a bloodstain pattern analyst 

training program. This standard was drafted to provide guidance to forensic science service 

providers for the establishment and maintenance of a bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) 

mentorship program. 

The draft of this standard was developed by the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee of 

the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science. 

Keywords: Bloodstain pattern analysis, mentorship

1 Scope

This document outlines the components of a mentorship program. Mentorship is an integral 

component of a bloodstain pattern analyst training program. The mentorship program seeks to 

ensure the competency of the analyst and evaluate the analyst’s ability to produce a quality work 

product. 

2 Normative References 

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

2020 

3 Terms and Definitions

3.1 Terms

The following terms are meant to convey the meanings specified. 

3.1.1

Shall - Used to indicate that a provision is mandatory (unless otherwise documented for noncompliance).

3.1.2

Should - Used to indicate that a provision is not mandatory, but recommended as good practice.
OSAC 2021-N-0039, Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

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3.2 Definitions

For purposes of this document, the following definitions apply.

3.2.1

active practitioner - An analyst actively involved in providing bloodstain pattern training and/or 

BPA casework and/or performing technical reviews of BPA casework.

3.2.2

bloodstain pattern analysis trainee - an individual who is actively working toward meeting the 

requirements as described in ASB, Std 032 Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training 

Program. 

3.2.3

competency – the demonstration of technical skills and knowledge necessary to perform forensic 

analysis successfully.

3.2.4

mentee – a bloodstain pattern analysis trainee participating in a mentorship program

3.2.5

mentor – an active practitioner who has a minimum of three years of casework experience as a 

bloodstain pattern analyst. 

4 Mentorship Components

The forensic science service provider shall identify and assign an individual to serve as a mentor. 

This assignment may occur at any time during the training program. The length of the 

mentorship program may vary based upon the skills and abilities of the mentee.

4.1 A forensic science service provider shall establish a documented mentorship program that 

includes:

A. Evaluation with respect to required objectives

B. Study and evaluation of completed casework

C. Mock casework

D. Mentored BPA casework

E. Courtroom practices

F. Criteria for acceptable performance
OSAC 2021-N-0039, Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

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5 Evaluation with Respect to Required Objectives

5.1 Prior to the trainee entering into a specific portion of the mentorship program, the mentor 

shall evaluate relevant training records to ensure the successful completion of the applicable 

minimum training requirements as outlined in section 4.2 of the Standards for a Bloodstain 

Pattern Analyst’s Training Program. 

5.2 If deficiencies are identified, the mentor shall document and communicate a recommended 

remediation plan to the forensic science service provider. 

5.3 The mentor may designate an active practitioner who meets the standards prescribed in ASB 

032, Standards for a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst’s Training Program, to assist with the 

mentorship program. Active practitioners may complete tasks such as observing, documenting 

performance and providing guidance to the mentee.

6 Review and Examination of Completed Casework

6.1 The mentor shall identify completed cases for the mentee to review and examine.

6.1.1 The cases should include a varied sampling representative of the range of difficulty of BPA 

casework the mentee is likely to encounter and exposes the mentee to the limitations of 

bloodstain pattern analysis. 

6.1.2 In aggregate, the case files to be reviewed should include the following components:

A. Photographs

B. Notes, sketches, diagrams etc.

C. Pattern characteristics and classification

D. Supporting reports (e.g., autopsy, DNA)

E. Additional documentation (e.g., interviews, 911 call, etc.)

F. Opinions/interpretations

6.2 The mentee shall review the completed cases with their mentor or active practitioner in order 

to gain an understanding of the methodology and workflow process of a BPA investigation.

6.3 The examination of completed cases shall involve the mentee independently examining and 

documenting part or all of a completed case, and preparing a written report of observations and 

case conclusions.

6.3.1 The mentor shall evaluate and compare the mentee’s work product to the previously 

completed cases.
OSAC 2021-N-0039, Standard for a Mentorship 

Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

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7 Mock Casework

Mock casework assesses the mentee’s ability to appropriately document and classify the patterns 

within a mock case, which was prepared using known mechanisms. Mock casework should be 

representative of the range of BPA patterns the mentee is likely to encounter. Mock casework 

can be done in-person or through remote means.

7.1 The mentee shall document, classify, and provide a written report of the reconstructed events 

using BPA

7.2 The mentor shall evaluate and compare the mentee’s work product to the known mechanisms 

used in the creation of the mock case for appropriate documentation and rendering of case 

conclusions. 

8 Mentored Casework

Mentored casework assesses the mentee’s ability to evaluate cases that have not been previously 

analyzed. Mentored casework can be done in person or through remote means. This is a critical 

component of the mentorship and the main factor in determining the length of the program. 

8.1 In this component, the mentor shall conduct the analysis while the mentee observes the case 

approach and evaluation. The mentee may take on defined responsibilities (e.g., documenting 

specific pattern types, articulating certain tasks to be performed).

8.2 In subsequent cases, the mentee may conduct the analysis with supervised assistance from 

the mentor. The mentee shall not be the author of the report.

8.3 Mentored cases should reflect the range of BPA casework the mentee is likely to encounter.

9 Courtroom Practices

9.1 The mentee shall review BPA expert witness courtroom practices (e.g. the review of BPA 

expert testimony transcripts, direct observation of BPA expert testimony). 

9.2 The mentor or an active practitioner shall create a mock courtroom scenario where the 

mentee demonstrates the ability to appropriately communicate their observations and case 

conclusions, while testifying competently in a mock court setting. 

10 Criteria for Acceptable Performance

10.1 The mentor and forensic service provider shall establish standard criteria for the successful 

completion of each component of the mentorship program. The forensic service provider should 

establish procedures to address mentee errors and/or deficiencies.
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Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

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10.1.1 The criteria shall be documented and cover the spectrum of anticipated tasks related to 

BPA analysis.

10.1.2 The criteria should include the establishment of the length of the program based in part 

on the number and range of cases/samples the mentee is likely to encounter. 

10.2 A mentee shall be evaluated on all components of BPA methodology, report writing and 

courtroom testimony.