Which surface will likely produce more blood splatter?

A soft and porous surface is likely to absorb some of the blood, which can create a more complex interaction with the splatter due to the surface's texture. When blood hits a soft, porous material, it does not just bounce off as it might on harder surfaces but is instead partially absorbed, potentially leading to a spreading effect that enhances the splatter pattern created. The interaction of the blood with the surface can also create additional droplets or secondary splatter, increasing the overall amount of blood splatter observed.

In contrast, hard and non-porous surfaces are less likely to retain any blood, leading to a more straightforward splatter pattern with less complexity. Dry and coarse surfaces can create more splatter due to their texture but may not absorb the blood in ways that enhance the splatter pattern as effectively as a porous surface. A wet and smooth surface can also affect splatter, but it tends to create less splatter than a porous surface because the blood may bead up and run rather than fracturing into droplets. Understanding these interactions is vital in forensic science when analyzing bloodstain patterns at a crime scene.