Bloodstains on clothing: image analysis and modelling: forensic science, physics, engineering and textiles

Bloodstains offer valuable objective evidence for reconstructing events at the scene of a violent assault. Bloodstains are retained well by fabrics, such as clothing, upholstery and floor coverings. However bloodstains can also be altered by spreading and wicking in fabrics. This process is not well understood at present. Capillary wicking may occur between yarns, or within yarns in the gaps between individual fibres.
You will construct a model of the spreading and wicking process and validate it against a comprehensive database of high-speed and timelapse images of bloodstains spreading and wicking on different fabrics. Good models of spreading on non-absorbent surfaces exist; the intellectual challenge is to integrate these with new models of the capillary wicking process.
You will work with engineers at the University of Canterbury and forensic scientists at ESR (New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute responsible for forensic science). You will be in touch with network of bloodstain pattern analysis researchers worldwide.
Applications are welcomed from candidates with good degrees in numerate sciences or engineering (e.g. physics, engineering, textile science, computer science), and an interest (but not necessarily prior experience) in forensic science, image analysis and textiles. The ideal candidate will have curiosity and enjoy problem-solving.
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