Each time a victim bites the dust in *The Cabin in the Woods*, Steve Hadley (one of the senior technicians) uncovers a handle and pulls it:

![covered handles](https://i.stack.imgur.com/JWFLv.png)  

![uncovered handle](https://i.stack.imgur.com/xPkps.jpg)  

![pulling handle down](https://i.stack.imgur.com/q8lnG.png)

This triggers a small hammer to break an outlet below the observation room. A red liquid (presumably blood) runs out and onto the stone tablets.

![liquid pouring out](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0hH6j.png)
![dropping onto tablets](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0vx6U.jpg)

However, how is this related to the actual sacrifice as they couldn't possibly have gotten the blood of the victim in there. Either this is human blood or animal blood (or something completely different) but why is this needed? And if it is, what is the significance of the actual deaths, then?

> 
>  Obviously the demons have no issue with the handle being triggered before the actual victim is dead, as we see when Steve pulls Marty's handle.
> 
> 
> 

So, **what is the role of this**?