ABSTRACT
Arterial spurting, expirated blood, flight paths, misting, wave casting, blood dripping, satellite patterns, low, medium, and high velocity deposits, back spatter, wipes, swipes, angular deposits, and off patterns, are just some of the body of terms1 utilized in the very telling discipline of bloodstain pattern
analysis. This strictly observation-based forensic tool is a highly specialized crime scene procedure that is combined with the equally important skills involved in forensic photography.2 It is commonly used in homicide and suicide settings to determine the sequence of events, the distance of shooter to victim, self-defense, mental states such as intent, and a number of important crime scene dynamics that can be of inestimable use to both prosecutors and defense counsel.3
