What is a "collision scrub" in the context of forensic analysis?

The term "collision scrub" refers to the marks or patterns created on a surface when a tire makes contact during a collision, especially when the brakes have locked, resulting in the tire sliding or skidding. This phenomenon is crucial in forensic analysis, as it can provide valuable information about the dynamics of a vehicular incident, such as the point of impact, the speed of the vehicle, and the direction of travel prior to the collision. These tire marks can aid forensic experts in reconstructing the events surrounding a crash, contributing to investigations involving accidents.

The other options describe different types of traces or marks, but they do not align with the definition of a collision scrub. For instance, traces of blood or patterns from footsteps do not pertain to vehicular incidents, while a smear from a blunt object implies an entirely different context, typically relating to assault or injury scenes. Thus, understanding collision scrubbing specifically connects to vehicular incidents and their forensic implications.