What term best describes blood that's collected from a scene after it has dripped and formed a pattern?

The term that best describes blood collected from a scene after it has dripped and formed a distinct pattern is "drip pattern." This terminology is used in forensic science to refer to the arrangement or design created by the droplets of blood that have fallen from a height, showing the direction and force of the impacts.

Drip patterns can provide crucial information about a crime scene, including details about the victim's movement and the actions of individuals involved. Analyzing these patterns helps investigators reconstruct events leading to the bloodshed and understand the dynamics of the scene better.

In this context, transfer bloodstains refer to blood that has been smeared or moved from one surface to another, often indicating contact. Pooled blood describes blood that has collected in a specific area, typically creating a larger, more stagnant volume rather than a pattern formed by dripping. Castoff blood refers to blood that has been thrown off from a weapon during a strike or swing, demonstrating a different dynamic than that of drops falling under gravity. By focusing on drip patterns, one can assess the specific circumstances surrounding an incident and help guide the investigation.