blood spatter terminology
The acute angle formed between the direction of a blood. drop and the plane of the surface it strikes.
angle of impact
Bloodstain pattern(s) resulting from blood exiting die body under pressure from a bresached artery.
Arterial Spurting (or gushing) Pattern
Blood directed back towards the source of energy or force that causad the spatter
Back Spatter
Evidence that liquid blood has come into contact with a surface
Bloodstain
Rings in blood that result when blood containing air bubbles dries and retains the bubble's circular configuration as a dried outline
Bubble Rings
A bloodstain pattern created when blood is released or thrown from a blood-bearing object in motion.
Cast-Off Pattern
The directionality of a bloodstain or pattern which indicates the direction the blood was traveling when it impacted the target surface. Directionality of a blood drop's flight can usually be established from the geometric shape of its bloodstain.
Directionality
The angle between the long axis of a bloodstain and a predetermined line on the plane of the target surface which represents 0 degrees.
Directionality Angle
The trajectory of a blood drop which can be established by its angle of impact and directionality angle.
Direction of Flight
Blood in the barrel of a firearm that has been drawn backward into the muzzle.
Draw-Back Effect
A bloodstain pattern which results from blood dripping into blood.
Drip Pattern
Blood that is blown out of the nose, mouth, or a wound as a result of air pressure and/or air flow which is the propelling force.
Expirated Blood
The path of the blood drop, as it moves through space, from the impact site to the target.
Flight Path
A change in the shape and direction of a bloodstain due to the influence of gravity or movement of the object.
Flow Pattern
Blood which travels in the same direction as the source of energy or force which caused the spatter.
Forward Spatter
A bloodstain pattern caused by a high velocity impact /force to a blood source such as that produced by gunshot or high speed machinery.
High Velocity Impact Spatter (HVIS)
Bloodstain pattern created when blood receives a blow or force resulting in the random dispersion of smaller drips of blood.
Impact Pattern
That point where force encounters a source of blood.
Impact Site
A bloodstain pattern that is caused by a low velocity impact/force to a blood source.
Low Velocity Impact Spatter (LVIS)
A bloodstain pattern caused by a medium velocity impact/force to a blood source. A beating typically causes this type of spatter.
Medium Velocity Impact Spatter (MVIS)
Blood which has been reduced to a fine spray, as a result of the energy or force applied to it.
Misting
A drop of blood from which a wave, cast-off, or satellite spatter.
Parent Drop
Bloodstain drop(s) created or formed by the force of gravity acting along.
Passive Drop (Bleeding)
A bloodstain that consists of only its outer periphery, the central area having been removed by wiping or flaking after liquid blood has partially or completely dried.
Perimeter Stain
The common point (area), on a two dimensional surface, over which the directionality of several blood drops can be retraced.
Point (Area) of Convergence
The common point (area) in a three dimensional space to which the trajectories of several blood drops can be retraced.
Point (Area) of Origin
A bloodstain pattern that is produced by blood released under pressure as opposed to an impact, such as arterial spurting.
Projected Blood Pattern
The deflection of blood after impact with a target surface that results in straining of a second target surface.
Ricochet
Small droplets of blood that are distributed around a drop or pool of blood as a result of the blood impacting the target surface.
Satellite Spatter
That blood which has been dispersed as a result of force applied to a source of blood. Patterns produced are often characteristic of the nature of the forces which created them.
Spatter
The pointed or elongated stains which radiate away from the central area of a bloodstain.
Spine
The transfer of blood from a moving source onto an unstained surface. Direction of travel may be determined by the feathered edge.
Swipe Pattern
A surface upon which blood has been deposited.
Target
A bloodstain pattern created when a wet, bloody surface comes in contact with a second surface. A recognizable image of all or portion of the original surface may be observed in the pattern.
Transfer/Contact Pattern
An absence of strains in an otherwise continuous bloodstain pattern.
Void
A small blood drop that originates from a parent drop of blood due to the wave-like action of the liquid in conjunction with striking a surface.
Wave Cast-Off
A bloodstain pattern created when an object moves through an existing stain, removing and/or altering its appearance.
Wipe Pattern