What do skeletonized stains show?

Skeletonized stains are characterized by the presence of a dried outer perimeter, while the inner portion remains moist or has evaporated more quickly. This phenomenon occurs when blood is exposed to air for an extended period, causing the liquid part to evaporate while the solid components, such as proteins and other substances, are left behind.

Identifying skeletonized stains in a crime scene can be crucial as they can provide insights into the timeline of events. For example, if a stain appears skeletonized, it may indicate that some time has passed since the blood was deposited, offering valuable information about the sequence of actions that took place.

Other options refer to different types of blood patterns or evidence, but they do not accurately describe the specific characteristics of skeletonized stains. For instance, fresh blood patterns would depict stains that have not yet dried, and high-velocity impact spatter represents a specific type of blood pattern caused by a high-speed force, which is distinct from the concept of skeletonization. Similarly, evidence of a struggle might suggest various blood patterns but does not specifically relate to the dried perimeter characteristic of skeletonized stains.