Forensics Definitions Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the angle of impact?

The degree of circular distortion (correct)

A stream of blood exiting a major damaged blood vessel

The space/size of the splatter

The location in three-dimensional space of a bloodstain

What does the area of convergence refer to?

The space/size of the splatter

What is the area of origin?

The location in three-dimensional space where blood originated from

What does arterial spray indicate?

A stream of blood exiting a major damaged blood vessel Signup and view all the answers

What is back spatter?

Blood directed back toward the source of the force Signup and view all the answers

What is cast-off?

A bloodstain pattern created when blood is flung from a blood-bearing object Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of crime-scene reconstruction?

To document conditions and reconstruct events during a crime Signup and view all the answers

What is a drip trail pattern?

A pattern of bloodstains formed by dripping off a moving surface or person Signup and view all the answers

What does an expirated blood pattern indicate?

Blood expelled out of the nose, mouth, or respiratory system Signup and view all the answers

What are flows in bloodstain patterns?

A continuous trail created as blood is pulled downward with gravity Signup and view all the answers

What is forward spatter?

Blood that travels in the same direction as the source of energy Signup and view all the answers

High-velocity splatter is usually larger than low-velocity splatter.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does impact splatter refer to?

A random pattern of splatter from a bloody object receiving a blow Signup and view all the answers

What defines low-velocity spatter?

A bloodstain pattern caused by low-speed impact or force Signup and view all the answers

What is satellite spatter?

Small drops of blood that break off from the parent spatter Signup and view all the answers

What is skeletonization in bloodstains?

The process where the edges of a stain dry to the surface Signup and view all the answers

What is a transfer pattern?

A bloodstain pattern from a wet, bloody surface contacting another surface Signup and view all the answers

What does the term void mean in forensics?

An empty area or space Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Terms

Angle of Impact: Refers to measuring the degree of circular distortion from blood splatter to determine the angle at which blood impacted a surface.
Area of Convergence: Describes the space or size of blood splatter patterns, indicating where multiple blood droplets originated.
Area of Origin: The three-dimensional location from which a bloodstain originated, determined by calculating the area of convergence and angles of impact for bloodstains.
Aterial Spray: Blood flow from a severely damaged major blood vessel, typically characterized by high-pressure ejection creating a spray pattern.
Back Spatter: Blood that is propelled toward the source of force, often seen in shooting incidents where blood travels opposite the direction of force applied.
Cast-off: A pattern of bloodstains resulting from blood being flung from a moving, blood-bearing object onto a surface, indicative of motion.
Crime Scene Reconstruction: The process of documenting conditions and reconstructing events to understand the sequence of actions during a crime.
Drip Trail Pattern: Bloodstain patterns formed from blood dripping off a moving person or object, creating a recognizable pathway separate from other blood patterns.
Expirated Blood Pattern: Blood expelled from the body (nose, mouth, or respiratory system) due to airflow or pressure, resulting in a distinct pattern.
Flows: Continuous blood trails created as blood is pulled downward by gravity, often indicating the position or movement of a victim or object.
Forward Spatter: Blood that moves in the same direction as the force that caused the spatter, typically observed in blunt force or gunshot incidents.
High-Velocity Splatter: Characterized by smaller droplets, typically created by forces exceeding about 100 ft/sec, such as gunshots or explosions.
Impact Splatter: Random blood splatter patterns resulting from a blood-bearing object receiving impact, indicating a violent event.
Low-Velocity Spatter: Typically results from low-speed impact, characterized by larger droplets (4 to 6 mm), with velocities up to approximately 5 ft/sec.
Satellite Spatter: Small droplets that detach from a main droplet upon impact with a surface, forming a distinctive spray around the parent stain.
Skeletonization: A process where the edges of a bloodstain dry to the surface over time, leaving a mark even after the main droplet is disturbed, useful for assessing how long a bloodstain has been present.
Transfer Pattern: Blood patterns formed when a wet, bloody surface contacts another surface, often revealing a recognizable image of the originating source.
Void: An empty space or absence of bloodstains, indicating potential positioning of a person or object during the event that caused bloodshed.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key forensics terminology with these flashcards. The quiz covers important definitions such as angle of impact, area of convergence, and area of origin, essential for understanding bloodstain pattern analysis.