Forensics Sergeant Now Certified in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Meet Sergeant Michelle Pflug. Sergeant Pflug is one of the investigators in our Forensic Identification Services. This past June, Michelle completed the certification board for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis at the Ontario Police College. This course of study is not for the faint of heart. Each new perspective analyst must complete several intense courses during their understudy. The analyst is then partnered with a mentor and learns the discipline, hands on, in the field. The study of bloodstain pattern analysis can take years to complete and finishes with a mock trial within a board interview where the analyst presents their report. Sergeant Pflug is one of three officers who are currently certified.

Sergeant Pflug began her understudy in 2011. Here is just a sample of her other accomplishments during that time. Michelle earned her Master’s Degree in Forensics from the University of Florida with honours and a 4.0 GPA. She travelled to numerous conferences and courses in Canada and United States. She was promoted to Sergeant, led teams of Forensics investigators at homicide scenes, and volunteered to coach athletes with Special Olympics Ontario.

Bloodstain pattern analysis is a specialty in the field of forensic sciences and is based on physics and fluid dynamics. The analysis can indicate where a person was located during the incident, what type of weapon may have been used or the distance between the victim and weapon used. This information, along with witness accounts and physical evidence, is helpful to investigators in drawing conclusions as to what happened during the incident.

This certification is a significant accomplishment that showcases Sergeant Pflug’s continued dedication to her work and team. Her expertise is sure to be an asset in major investigations.