Patrick M. Comiskey, Ph.D.
Dr. Comiskey is proficient in the analysis of dynamic systems and fluid mechanics. He specializes in the investigation and reconstruction of vehicle accidents involving heavy trucks, passenger cars, bicycles and pedestrians. He has specialized training and experience in the retrieval and interpretation of event data recorder (EDR) data, 3D laser scans, mechanical systems inspections, and 3D computer modeling.
Dr. Comiskey completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). At UIC, he conducted research on the fluid mechanics of blood motion due to common bloodletting events such as a gunshot. He performed rheological studies on blood in the context of forensic science, investigated the atomization phenomena of blood due to a gunshot both experimentally and theoretically, and evaluated the interaction of muzzle gases from a gunshot with blood droplets. Moreover, Dr. Comiskey studied the aerodynamics of jets of liquid released into quiescent air applicable for a variety of fluids.
Prior to UIC, Dr. Comiskey worked for a machine design engineering firm where he designed and analyzed mechanical systems. As a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers’ SuperMileage team, he led the design and machining improvements to the engine and optimized the body shape of the car, with the purpose of achieving the highest possible fuel mileage. As a researcher for a high-altitude weather balloon project, he engineered a containment system for scientific instrumentation to be operated in a balloon travelling 90,000 feet above sea level.
CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, 2019
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 2014
Chancellor’s Student Service Award, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2018
Faydor Litvin Graduate Honor Award, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2017
Publications
Comiskey, PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Implications of two backward blood spatter models based on fluid dynamics for bloodstain pattern analysis. Forensic Science International, in press.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Atomization of blood spatter resulting from a gunshot. ICLASS 2018 14th Triennial International Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray System Proceedings, 2018.
Attinger D, Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, De Brabanter K. Determining the region of origin of blood spatters considering fluid dynamics and statistical uncertainties. Forensic Science International, 2019, 298:323-331.
Attinger D, Liu Y, Faflak R, Rao Y, Struttman BA, De Brabanter K, Comiskey PM, Yarin AL. A data set of bloodstain patterns for teaching and research in bloodstain pattern analysis: Gunshot backspatters. Data in Brief 2019, 22:269-278.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Theoretical and experimental investigation of forward spatter of blood from a gunshot. Physical Review Fluids 2018, 3:063901.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL. Friction coefficient of an intact free liquid jet moving in air. Experiments in Fluids 2018, 59:65.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. High-speed video analysis of forward and backward spattered blood droplets 2017, 276:134-141.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Hydrodynamics of back spatter by a blunt bullet gunshot with a link to bloodstain pattern analysis. Physical Review Fluids 2017, 2:073906.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Kim S, Attinger D. Prediction of blood back spatter from a gunshot in bloodstain pattern analysis. Physical Review Fluids 2016, 1:043201.
Kolbasov A, Comiskey PM, Sahu RP, Sinha-Ray S, Yarin AL, Sikarwar BS, Kim S, Jubery TZ, Attinger D. Blood rheology in shear and uniaxial elongation. Rheologica Acta 2016, 55:901-908.
Presentations
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Theoretical and experimental investigation of forward spatter of blood from a gunshot. Presented at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics Conference, Atlanta, GA, November 18-20, 2018.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Atomization of blood spatter resulting from a gunshot. Presented at the International Conference on Liquid Atomization & Spray Systems, Chicago, IL, July 22-26, 2018.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. Investigation of blood spatter resulting from a gunshot. Presented at Pittcon, Orlando, FL, February 26-March 1, 2018.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Attinger D. High-speed video analysis of forward and backward spattered blood droplets. Presented at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics Conference, Denver, CO, November 19-21, 2017.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Kim S, Attinger D. Blood back spatter caused by a blunt bullet gunshot. Presented at the American Physical Society March Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 13-17, 2017.
Comiskey PM, Yarin AL, Kim S, Attinger D. Predictions and measurements of blood backspatter from a gunshot in bloodstain pattern analysis. Presented at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics Conference, Portland, OR, November 20-22, 2016.
Prior Experience
Research Assistant, Multiscale Mechanics and Nanotechnology Laboratory, 2014-2019
Design Engineer Intern, Apex Tool Works, Inc., 2013-2014
Researcher, Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Elijah High-Altitude Balloon Research Project, 2012
Professional Affiliations
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Additional Information
Additional Education Training
Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, CDR Technician, March 2019
Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, CDR Data Analyst, April 2019
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
Knowledge
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CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, 2019
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 2014
Chancellor’s Student Service Award, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2018
Faydor Litvin Graduate Honor Award, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2017