10.26091/ESRNZ.7956245.v1 Ravishka M. Arthur Ravishka M. Arthur Philomena J. Humburg Philomena J. Humburg Jerry Hoogenboom Jerry Hoogenboom Martin Baiker Martin Baiker Michael C. Taylor Michael C. Taylor An image-processing methodology for extracting bloodstain pattern features Institute of Environmental Science and Research 2019 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Image-processing Forensic Science Local Features Global Features Classification Forensic Biology 2019-04-09 02:01:36 Online resource https://research.esr.cri.nz/articles/online_resource/An_image-processing_methodology_for_extracting_bloodstain_pattern_features/7956245 There is a growing trend in forensic science to develop methods to make forensic pattern comparison tasks more objective. This has generally involved the application of suitable image-processing methods to provide numerical data for identification or comparison. This paper outlines a unique imageprocessing methodology that can be utilised by analysts to generate reliable pattern data that will assist them in forming objective conclusions about a pattern. A range of features were defined and extracted from a laboratory-generated impact spatter pattern. These features were based in part on bloodstain properties commonly used in the analysis of spatter bloodstain patterns. The values of these features were consistent with properties reported qualitatively for such patterns. The image-processing method developed shows considerable promise as a way to establish measurable discriminating pattern criteria that are lacking in current bloodstain pattern taxonomies. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.