ABSTRACT
Evaluating Impact Spatter Bloodstains One of the primary functions of the analyst is to classify the specific stains and patterns found. Once categorized, the analyst then attempts to identify the underlying nature of the event causing the pattern. An important pattern found at many crime scenes is the impact spatter pattern. Impact spatter is a radiating pattern resulting from some application of force to a blood source. As definitive as this is, unfortunately there is some disagreement on how to differentiate impact spatter. What is generally agreed upon is that impact patterns often help us understand the orientation of the event and perhaps the general nature of the force involved.
