This article describes the development and features of a data set of blood spatter patterns scanned at high resolution and produced in controlled experiments.
The spatter patterns were produced with a rifle or a handgun with varying ammunition. The resulting atomized blood droplets travelled opposite to the bullet direction, generating a gunshot backspatter on a poster board target sheet. Fresh blood with anticoagulants was used; its hematocrit and temperature were measured. The main parameters of the study were the bullet shape, size and speed, and the distance between the blood source and target sheet. Several other parameters were explored in a less systematic way. This new and original data set is suitable for training or research purposes in the forensic discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis. (publisher abstract modified)