Are the red strings used by Dexter a real thing?

Are the red strings used by Dexter a real thing? - Unpacked boxes in middle of room

Dexter works as a blood splatter analyst for Miami Metro police. We often see him on a crime scene using red strings to represent the trajectory of the blood:

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Is this a real thing done by blood splatter analysts or is it made up to make Dexter's job more "fancy" ?



Best Answer

It's a real method for analyzing blood splatters.

To find the area of convergence, investigators typically use string to create straight lines through the long axis of individual drops, following the angle of impact along a flat plane, for instance the floor or wall where the drops are found. Following the lines to where they intersect shows investigators where the victim was located when the drops were created.

To find the area of origin, investigators use a similar method but also include the height calculations. This creates a 3-D estimate of the victim s location when the drops occurred. For example, if the area of origin is determined to be only two feet above the area of convergence on the floor, the analyst may presume the victim was either lying or sitting on the floor. If it is five feet above the convergence, the victim may have been standing. This analysis can be done using strings and a protractor, mathematical calculations or computer models.

( Source: forensicsciencesimplified.org)

Refer Wikipedia for knowing more about string method.




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Is Dexters blood spatter realistic?

The hit Showtime series \u201cDexter\u201d centered on a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer. While the show is based on fiction, the job is very real and harder than Dexter makes it seem (probably due to his serial killer instincts).

Are there really blood spatter experts?

Bloodstain pattern analysts, also known as blood spatter experts, collect and analyze physical evidence\u2014specifically, blood. They are specialists in forensic science and crime scene investigation and examine the location and shape of blood drops, stains, puddles, and pools.

Why does Dexter use string in measuring angles at crime scenes?

It's a real method for analyzing blood splatters. To find the area of convergence, investigators typically use string to create straight lines through the long axis of individual drops, following the angle of impact along a flat plane, for instance the floor or wall where the drops are found.

Do blood spatter analysts use string?

This analysis can be done using strings and a protractor, mathematical calculations or computer models. Tools used to determine area of convergence and area of origin include: Elastic strings and protractors.



Dexter Blood Spatter \u0026 String examples




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Méline Waxx, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska