By: Laura Pettler, M.S.
Issue: Dec. 2005/Jan. 2006
Untitled Document
While many forensic specialists find satisfaction and security in working for
a government agency, one recent graduate is determined to make a name for herself
in her own forensics company.
Upon entering graduate school in 2002, I thought I knew exactly where I was
headed; I planned to complete a degree in Criminal Justice, concentrating in
Criminal Profiling, and apply to the FBI. Life takes some interesting turns,
however, and the path I was about to embark on led me to places I never thought
I’d be.
Graduate school at Youngstown State University in Ohio, provided me the opportunity
to explore several areas of forensics. I was fortunate to intern at the Youngstown
Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit. I spent six months working and
studying with several knowledgeable homicide detectives and investigators and
got my first taste of actual crime work. My experience broadened while doing
coursework when I was assigned to work with a forensic psychologist and a forensic
scientist. With undergraduate work in psychology, I felt right at home with
the former, but with little lab experience, I was overwhelmed by my first job
as a forensic scientist. That job, however, led to work in a private forensic
toxicology lab and opened up for me, the world of private forensic consulting.
Additionally, my focus began to include not only the psychological but the
physical. Physical evidence from fingerprinting to casting tool marks to bloodstain
analysis fascinated me.
In addition to my lab duties, I assisted in teaching an Introduction to Forensic
Science course. I wanted the students to not only have the opportunity to learn
the physical evidence side of things, but with a twist; that is, learn how
criminal profilers use physical evidence to help comprise psychological profiles.
I was determined to meld my interest in psychology with my newfound skills
in physical evidence. While doing research, I became captivated with bloodstain
analysis. One day I read a book on bloodstain pattern analysis while walking
on the treadmill. Before I knew it, I had walked five miles and my path had
taken a new turn.
A Little History
The first reference to bloodstain pattern interpretation is found in the Book
of Genesis in the story of Cain and Abel:
“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they
were in the field, that Cain rose up against his brother, and slew him. And
the Lord said unto Cain, where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not,
am I my brother’s keeper? And He said, What hast thou done? The voice
of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
The fact that blood cried out from the ground to be heard is significant because
bloodstain analysts are the speakers for bloodstain evidence which otherwise
remains silent.
The first scientific work in bloodstain analysis was begun in the 1890s by
Dr Eduard Piotrowski. He designed several experiments using hammers and hatchets
to beat the heads of rabbits, studying the resultant bloodstain patterns.1
This, of course, was undoubtedly looked upon with disdain by Victorian era
animal rights activists, but Dr. Piotrowski was able to illustrate his work
and describe it in his literature, nonetheless. While reconstruction still
plays a role in the analysis of bloodstain patterns, the technology used has
changed significantly.
Moving from the Psychological to the Physical I changed the focus of my planned Graduate Research Project from the psychology
of serial killers to bloodstain pattern analysis. My research led me to Herbert
Leon MacDonell, who sent me several sources on the history of bloodstain pattern
analysis, including a bound copy of his own Segments of History: The Literature
of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation, Segment 00 Through the 1800’s.
Little did I know with that first contact that I was acquainting myself with
the “Father of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis” himself.
With the University paying my way in exchange for donating all my research
to their Forensic Lab, I attended the Bloodstain Institute, a course Dr. MacDonell
has been teaching for thirty years. As the seminar ended, I accepted an offer
to work along side Dr. MacDonnell, working old cases, studying patterns, reconstructing,
and writing. I was eventually hired as a Forensic Associate at his Laboratory
of Forensic Science.
My two years of work at the Bloodstain Institute and Laboratory of Forensic
Science afforded me the opportunity to work on many interesting cases; to learn
and gain experience. The attendees at the Institute are forensic professionals
from around the world, including crime scene investigators, death scene investigators,
detectives, forensic pathologists, FBI, and Secret Service.
Then my original plan began to run through my mind. What about criminal profiling?
What about the FBI? I began to formulate a place for myself in the world of
private forensic consulting. I questioned: Was there a place for me in bloodstain
pattern analysis in the private sector? Could I earn a living doing this work
on my own? Regardless of my original plan, I knew I had found my niche.
While the majority of forensic scientists, examiners, and analysts work for
local, county, state, or federal agencies, in fact, many cases are sent to
private analysts all over the country by prosecutors and defense attorneys,
families, and other agencies that need assistance. Having once worked for myself
as owner of an equine company, the idea of doing so again was appealing. With
only my experience from graduate school and work with Dr. MacDonell, I knew
it would take time to build up credibility and reputation.
Case #1
For my first case, I was hired by an attorney for a defendant who had been
convicted of murdering his girlfriend. My job was to attempt to confirm his
story so he could file for an appeal. After spending time analyzing the evidence,
I came to the conclusion that I disagreed with the client’s story.
It took hours and hours to compile my findings, as I methodically worked
to ensure accuracy. I reminded myself that I needed to build a reputation
as an analyst whose work was above reproach.
With my report backed up by Dr. MacDonell, it was delivered to the client.
Interestingly, I was able to dispute the findings of another party involved
in the case by reconstructing the scene using a model and a firearm similar
to the one used in the incident. The case, however, was not able to be appealed.
I was reminded that in this line of work, there are often more “losses” than “wins.”
Venturing Out on My Own
In June, 2005, I founded my own company, Carolina Forensics, to serve attorneys,
prosecutors, forensic pathologists, law enforcement, and families of unsolved
homicide victims. I specialize in bloodstain pattern analysis, but offer
other educational and research services as well. After three years of working
for the Laboratory of Forensic Science, consulting on cases, lecturing, and
teaching labs to other forensic professionals at the Bloodstain Institute,
I felt ready to venture out on my own.
While more bloodstain cases have come my way and I spend a significant amount
of time researching and working on them, the job of private consultant involves
other investments of time. Like any business, private forensic consulting involves
not only working cases, but allotting time to securing business, networking,
and marketing. I meet with attorneys and law enforcement and do guest speaking.
This approach even helped me secure a position as the first Forensics/Crime
Scene Investigation Instructor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Advantages to the Private Sector
Working as a private consultant, I can choose which cases to work; cases that
best complement my skill set. Many government investigators must work all types
of cases from a more generalist perspective. As a private consultant, I have
learned that I must be honest about the evidence being examined. I have had
to tell some clients that I could not help them; I have begun cases that have
stalled mid-project, after significant amounts of work; and I’ve seen
cases through to trial.
There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to owning any kind of business.
Private forensic consulting is no different. Being your own boss is appealing
to many but worrying about bringing in enough business and paying for insurance
is not! I can make the decision on how I spend my time. This year, for example,
I set a priority on ‘making a difference’ so I set up a booth at
my community’s “National Night-Out Goodbye to Crime Rally.” An
added benefit was a chance meeting with a local district attorney with whom
I am now working a case.
Working in the private sector often means working alone. In terms of bloodstain
work, this means becoming creative in the reconstruction and analysis of evidence.
I don’t have a high tech lab (I don’t even have an office!). This
can be an asset or a drawback, depending on the situation. I have been successful
thus far in my reconstructions, but they take a lot of time and creativity
when choosing mediums. I reconstruct to demonstrate that bloodstain patterns
follow the laws of physics and trigonometry, and therefore can be replicated.
I explain to those who ask me how I know that a pattern “is” what
a pattern “is consistent with,” because I can simply replicate
it. Although patterns can be recreated in a laboratory setting, as an accurate
analyst, I can never say that a pattern could or not have been created in more
than one manner. I never lock myself down to assuming a pattern could only
have been made one way. Everything I do is based in the imperfect science of
this subject.
Disadvantages to the Private Sector
For me, the biggest drawback to working in the private sector is the acquisition
of enough work to make a reasonable living. While there is certainly a need
for my services, many entities are unable to hire private sector forensic
consultants. While many agencies have a backlog of work, the funds are often
not available for the work to be outsourced. Understanding this “bump
in the road,” I have found that the more people you network with, the
more work you get, funds or no funds. It’s amazing what funds can be
found when everyone comes to the realization that it is in the best interest
of all parties involved. Another point to consider when establishing a private
consulting company is the time it takes to establish credibility. This takes
years of successfully working cases honestly and reliably.
Conclusion
My goal for Carolina Forensics is to be used as a tool by law enforcement,
other forensic professionals, attorneys, and families; to help develop and
understand forensic evidence, specifically bloodstain evidence. The private
sector may not be for everyone, but I am thankful to have discovered the
path that led to the opportunity where I can use my education and skills
to make a difference in this world…one small step at a time.
References
1. MacDonnell, Herbert Leon. Segments of History the Literature of Bloodstain
Pattern Interpretation, Segment 00: Literature through the 1800s. Corning,
NY: Bloodstain Evidence Institute, 2000.
