What kind of stains are created when blood drops travel through the air and impact a surface?

Spatter stains are formed when blood droplets are propelled through the air and strike a surface. This phenomenon occurs due to various forces, such as impact or sudden movements, which cause the blood to break apart and disperse into smaller droplets. The size and shape of spatter stains can provide valuable information about the dynamics of a bloodshed event, including the direction of force and the angle of impact.

In contrast, transfer stains result from contact between a blood-bearing surface and another surface, creating a pattern that mirrors the original source, often seen in handprints or shoeprints. Smear stains occur when a blood source is spread across a surface without significant force, creating a smeared appearance. Absorption stains are the result of blood entering and being absorbed by porous materials, like fabric or paper, which do not produce the distinctive patterns associated with spatter. Thus, spatter stains are uniquely defined by their origin from airborne droplets impacting a surface, making this the correct choice.