Flow Pattern – Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Terminology (IABPA)

Note: At the 2009 IABPA meeting in Portland, OR, USA, the IABPA membership voted to adopt the SWGSTAIN recommended terminology.

Definition

Flow Pattern: A change in the shape and direction of a bloodstain due to the influence of gravity or movement of the object.

Bloodstain Example - Flow Pattern

This pattern was generated by drawing blood into a large-bore syringe and projecting it at the target.

There was enough volume to allow the excess blood to collect and flow down the target.

Bevel & Gardner	Non-spatter Family - Regular Margin - Flow
James, Kish & Sutton	Passive - Contact/Transfer - Flow
Wonder	May be a criteria for Spatter Not a Criteria - Volume
SWGSTAIN	Flow Pattern - A bloodstain pattern resulting from the movement of a volume of blood on a surface due to gravity or movement of the target.