Which is an example of a passive bloodstain?

A passive bloodstain is characterized by the lack of external forces acting upon the blood when it is deposited, typically resulting in a more uniform and predictable pattern. Blood dripping down from a table exemplifies this type of bloodstain because it occurs under the influence of gravity alone, as the blood simply falls from a height onto a surface.

In contrast, blood spurting from a gunshot wound involves an active force, likely due to the pressure generated by the wound or the physical trauma, resulting in a spray-like pattern. Blood splattered from an overhead strike similarly indicates an active mechanism where the impact generates force, causing blood to spatter outward. Blood cast off from a swung object reflects motion and force as well, where blood is propelled away from a moving object.

Thus, the dripping blood illustrates the passive behavior associated with gravitational effects, distinguishing it from the dynamics of impact or motion seen in the other scenarios.