The contribution of bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) in the investigation of crimes against domestic and wild animals

10/07/2026

AI Summary

Scientific validation that animal and human blood behave similarly at high shear rates, supporting use of standard BPA methods in veterinary investigations.
Acknowledgement of scene complexities, including fur and feathers altering stain morphology, multi-species scenes and links to organised animal fighting and domestic violence.
Advocacy for integrating BPA with other forensic disciplines to guide DNA sampling and for routine adoption into veterinary forensic protocols amid stricter animal cruelty laws.

TL;DR (AI Generated)

Although Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is a well-established discipline in human-centric forensics, its potential within veterinary medicine remains significantly underutilized.

Subsequently, the focus shifts to the unique complexities of animal-involved crime scenes-such as the impact of complex topographies like fur and feathers on stain morphology-and the interpretation of multi-species scenes, including organized animal fighting and "The Link" to domestic violence.

Against a backdrop of recent legislative reforms introducing stricter penalties for animal cruelty, the systematic adoption of BPA into veterinary forensic protocols is essential to provide the robust scientific evidence required for modern investigations.

Basic summary

Sci Justice. 2026 Jul;66(4):101463. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2026.101463. Epub 2026 May 26.

ABSTRACT

Crimes against domestic and wild animals represent a growing global concern that introduces unique investigative challenges. Although Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is a well-established discipline in human-centric forensics, its potential within veterinary medicine remains significantly underutilized. To bridge this critical gap, this review moves from foundational theory to the practical application of BPA in animal-related contexts. First, the article establishes the scientific validity of this application by demonstrating that fluid dynamic differences between human and animal blood are negligible at high shear rates, thereby supporting the use of standard forensic techniques. Subsequently, the focus shifts to the unique complexities of animal-involved crime scenes-such as the impact of complex topographies like fur and feathers on stain morphology-and the interpretation of multi-species scenes, including organized animal fighting and “The Link” to domestic violence. Furthermore, we discuss the essential integration of BPA with other forensic disciplines, particularly in guiding strategic sample selection for animal DNA analysis. Against a backdrop of recent legislative reforms introducing stricter penalties for animal cruelty, the systematic adoption of BPA into veterinary forensic protocols is essential to provide the robust scientific evidence required for modern investigations.

PMID:42425620 | DOI:10.1016/j.scijus.2026.101463

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