What does the term "porous" refer to in a forensic context?

In a forensic context, the term "porous" refers specifically to materials that have tiny spaces or holes that allow air or liquids to penetrate. This characteristic is significant because it affects how various substances, such as blood, ink, or other trace evidence, interact with the surface of the material. For instance, porous surfaces can absorb liquids, which can complicate the recovery of evidence and may affect the results of any forensic analysis.

Materials that are classified as porous include items such as paper, wood, and some types of fabrics. When forensic scientists analyze evidence, understanding whether a surface is porous helps them determine how best to collect and preserve evidence, as well as how the evidence may have interacted with the surface over time. The interactions between substances and porous materials can yield vital information about the sequence of events in a crime scene investigation.