Quantitative Differentiation of Bloodstain Patterns Resulting from Gunshot and Blunt Force Impacts.

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) provides significant evidentiary value in crime scene interpretation and reconstruction. In this work, we develop a quantitative methodology using digital image analysis techniques to differentiate impact bloodstain patterns. The bloodstain patterns were digitally imaged and analyzed using image analysis algorithms. Our analysis of 72 unique bloodstain patterns, comprising more than 490,000 individual droplet stains, indicates that the mean drop size in a gunshot spatter pattern is at most 30% smaller than the mean drop stain size in blunt instrument patterns. In contrast, we demonstrate that the spatial distribution of the droplet stains-their density as a function of position in the pattern-significantly differs between gunshot and blunt instrument patterns, with densities as much as 400% larger for gunshot impacts. Thus, quantitative metrics involving the spatial distribution of droplet stains within a bloodstain pattern can be useful for objective differentiation between blunt instrument and gunshot bloodstain patterns.

Speaking out for mental health: collaboration of future journalists and psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVES: The authors assess the effects of an educational intervention on the attitudes and understanding of psychiatric residents and journalism students, review how collaboration between these disciplines affects these attitudes, and propose the development of similar programs within residency to enhance systems-based learning. METHODS: A collaborative curriculum involving a workshop, didactics, and team projects was conducted over 6 months among journalism students and psychiatric residents. Attitude assessments were obtained before and at the conclusion. RESULTS: Data support that a brief interdisciplinary curriculum can affect the attitudes of both psychiatric residents and journalism students regarding mental illness and the media. Attitudinal changes and areas of focus for the future are identified. CONCLUSION: Psychiatrists should be familiar with the relationship between media and stigma. Focusing on psychiatrists and journalists in training may change attitudes between disciplines to promote future collaboration, and innovative curricula within residency training may increase the comfort level between physicians and the media.