Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to bloodstain pattern analysis as presented in the lecture notes.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

A forensic method that examines bloodstains deposited at a crime scene to interpret and reconstruct the events that occurred.

Area of Convergence

The point on a two-dimensional plane from which the drops in an impact pattern originated.

Spatter Stain

A bloodstain resulting from a blood drop dispersed through the air due to an external force applied to a source of liquid blood.

Forward Spatter Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops that traveled in the same direction as the impact force.

Back Spatter Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops that traveled in the opposite direction of the external force applied.

Cast-off Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops released from an object due to its motion.

Projected Pattern

A bloodstain pattern produced by blood released under pressure, such as from an arterial injury.

Expiration Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood forced by airflow out of the nose, mouth, or a wound.

Voids

Blank spaces on a surface that indicate the size and shape of an object that blocked blood deposition.

Transfer Stain

A bloodstain resulting from contact between a blood-bearing surface and another surface.

Swipe Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from the transfer of blood from a blood-bearing surface onto another surface with relative motion.

Wipe Pattern

An altered bloodstain pattern resulting from an object moving through a preexisting wet bloodstain.

Flow Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from the movement of a volume of blood on a surface due to gravity or movement of the target.

Pool

A bloodstain resulting from an accumulation of liquid blood on a surface.

Edge Characteristic

A physical feature of the periphery of a bloodstain, including phenomena like skeletonization.

Perimeter Stain

An altered stain that consists of the peripheral characteristics of the original stain.

Drip Pattern

A bloodstain pattern resulting from a liquid that dripped into another liquid, at least one of which was blood.

Drip Trail

A bloodstain pattern resulting from the movement of a source of drip stains between two points.