Blood Secrets

Book excerpt: An exploration of the study of crime-scene blood spatter, featuring real-life examples and scientific analysis. Blood Secrets reveals how forensic experts read the story of a murder told in the traces of blood left behind, providing crucial evidence that has helped convict criminals who might have otherwise walked free. When Rod Englert began his career in law enforcement, virtually no police force in the world knew how to correctly examine blood spatter. He spent years studying and testing how blood behaves, pioneering a vital new tool that is now a part of any criminal investigation. In Blood Secrets he demonstrates how detectives and forensic experts use blood-spatter analysis to solve real cases. How can the police tell what type of murder weapon was used when the body is missing and all that’s left is a trace of gore? How can they tell if a victim was moved, or which person in a room fired the fatal shot? Englert lays out what he’s learned on a variety of intriguing cases, from puzzling murders in tiny, remote towns to the highest-profile celebrity trials—including O. J. Simpson, Robert Blake, and many others. Filled with fascinating details of forensic science and real-life CSI stories, Blood Secrets shows the techniques and tools used to decipher blood spatter’s code. Praise for Blood Secrets “A fascinating journey into the study of crimson drops. . . . Englert deftly balances real-life examples and detailed scientific analysis, giving readers a richer understanding of this developing avenue of forensic science.” —Publishers Weekly “Rod Englert is the ideal forensics professional. Blood Secrets shares many special insights and lessons learned from his long and storied law-enforcement career. The reader will appreciate his honesty and conviction as he weaves his way through the world of forensics and criminal investigation.” —Dayle Hinman, criminal profiler, host of Body of Evidence: from the case files of Dayle Hinman