Blood Spatter Analysis
A forensic science that deals with the physical properties of blood/ patterns produced under different conditions as a result of various forces acting on source of the blood
Directionality
The direction the blood was traveling when it hit the target
Satellite Spatter
Small droplets of blood around a drop or pool of blood
Low Velocity Impact Spatter
Bloodstain caused by a low speed impact
Flight Path
The path of the blood drop from impact to the target
Spine
Pointed stains radiating from the center of the bloodstain
Void
Absence of stains in a continuous bloodstain pattern
Angle of Impact
The acute angle between the direction of a blood drop and the surface
Medium Velocity Impact Spatter
Bloodstain caused by a medium speed impact to a source (stabbing or beating)
Drip Pattern
Bloodstain pattern that results from blood dripping into blood
Draw Back
Blood in the barrel of a firearm
Misting
Blood that has been reduced to a fine spray
Expirated Blood
Blood that is blown out of the nose, mouth or wound due to air pressure
Projected Blood Pattern
Any bloodstain projected by blood released under pressure
Point of Origin
The common start point of trajectory for blood drops
Transfer Pattern
Bloodstain created when a wet, bloody, surface comes into contact with a second surface
Forward Spatter
Blood that travels in the same direction of the force applied
Impact Site
Point where the force meets a blood source
Target
Surface on which blood has been deposited
Parent Drop
Drop of blood that casts off a wave or satellite spatter
Passive Drop
Bloodstain drops created or formed by the force of gravity alone
Wipe Pattern
Bloodstain created when an object moves through an existing stain changing its appearance
Castoff Pattern
Bloodstain created when blood is released or thrown from a moving bloody object
Point of Convergence
The common point on a surface over which the directionality of blood drops can be retraced
Blood Stain
Evidence that liquid blood has come into contact with a surface
Direction of Flight
The trajectory of a blood drop established by its angle of impact and directionality angle
Impact Pattern
Bloodstain created when blood receives a force creating random dispersal of smaller drops of blood
Arterial Spurting
Bloodstain patterns resulting from blood exiting the body under pressure from an artery
Spatter
Blood pattern dispersed by a force applied to it's source
Directionality Angle
Angle between the long axis of a bloodstain and a line on the plane of the target that represents 0 degrees
High Velocity Impact Spatter
Bloodstain caused by a high velocity impact, such as a gunshot
Swipe Pattern
Transfer of blood from a moving source to an un stained surface, the direction of travel has a feathered edge
Flow Pattern
Change in the shape and direction in the bloodstain due to gravity
Back Spatter
Blood directed back toward the source that caused the spatter
Contact Stain
Blood deposited from contact between the two surfaces, one of which is bloody.