Blood back spatter analysis is a complex yet critical area of forensic science
Recently, researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago and Iowa State University conducted a study investigating how blood behaves when a gun is fired. Their findings reveal that smaller blood droplets are more easily propelled toward the victim by the gases expelled from the firearm.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that the gases create a turbulent vortex that can push back some blood droplets toward the victim. This means that some blood droplets may land behind the victim, even though they initially moved toward the shooter.
The implications of this study are significant, as it could provide a possible explanation for how a short-range shooter could avoid getting blood stains on their clothes. In addition, by analyzing the blood back spatter pattern more accurately, forensic experts can now better understand the crime scene and potentially identify crucial evidence
Moreover, the researchers also plan to study brain tissue spatter, which could help differentiate between suicide and staged homicide. With these findings, future crime investigations can rely on a more comprehensive approach to analyzing blood back spatter patterns.
Research Paper: Kailin Chen, James B. Michael, Alexander L. Yarin; Effect of secondary atomization on blood backspatter affected by muzzle gases. Physics of Fluids 1 April 2023; 35 (4): 044115. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0142146
