 Welcome to this activity, Summary of Bloodstain Evidence Documentation. This learning activity is a summary of the critical steps described in detail in an earlier learning activity, Documentation of Bloodstain Evidence. The purpose of all documentation is to allow for outside analysis. Without proper documentation, court appearances and subsequent verdicts will be challenged. The recording methods need to be used to preserve bloodstain evidence during an investigation. They are note-taking, sketching, photography, videotaping, and report writing. The goal of documenting bloodstain patterns is to accurately show the evidence as it was initially found. Note-taking provides general information. Note, supplement, or complement photographs. They do not replace them. Photos and diagrams show the overall layout of a scene. Photographs of bloodstains need to be taken before evidence is altered or collected. Videotaping provides an overlap for photographs and may document information that was missed in the photos. One of the best ways to document bloodstain patterns is through photography. All bloodstain patterns need to be photographed showing overall, medium, close-up, and specific views. Both photographs should be taken for a third party to understand and comprehend the patterns and their association to the scene and the persons involved. When documenting bloodstain evidence, it is important to use criminologist Toby Wilson's road mapping method or a similar procedure. Road mapping uses photographs along with labels and scales for reference so the viewer is never lost. It allows others to properly analyze bloodstain patterns without ever being present at the scene. Others must complete processing of the scene before road mapping bloodstain patterns because documenting bloodstain evidence can be an intrusive process that can destroy other evidence in the vicinity. Road mapping is an integral part of scene documentation and provides an accurate representation of blood shedding events. Each bloodstain pattern is identified with a label. A letter or number is placed by each stain and a scale is adjacent to each different pattern. Once all labels and other road signs are in place, overall, medium, and close-up photographs are taken of each different pattern. Road mapping takes the analyst from an overall view of the bloodstain to the pattern and finally to an individual stain. Here are a few rules to follow when creating a road map. Choose stains that show directionality. Use smaller stains rather than larger stains. Finally, select 8 to 12 stains for a proper reconstruction. The final report is the reference tool that can be used years after an investigation. It displays the collective wealth of information and results gathered from analysis performed on the evidence. All documentation should be written as concisely, completely, and objectively as possible. No matter how well-intentioned an investigation may be, in the end it will be judged on the analyst's documentation. Congratulations! You have completed this activity, Summary of Bloodstain Evidence Documentation.