ABSTRACT
Insect artifacts are a result of insect activity after the blood from a violent event has been exposed to the environment. The inability to consistently and reliably distinguish insect artifacts from human bloodstains and body fluids represents a serious deficiency when addressing entomological contaminants at crime scenes. Bloodstain pattern documentation follows the same rules as general scene photography in that the photographer will focus on overall photographs first, then midrange and establishing photographs, and finally, close-up photographs. Bloodstain pattern documentation follows the same rules as general scene photography in that the photographer will focus on overall photographs first, then midrange and establishing photographs, and finally, close-up photographs. Flies also will produce medium to large droplets due to their natural feeding behavior and digestive habits. Movement of a person or object through pooled blood may cause the blood to project, which is characterized by a large volume of blood with spines.
