Serology

Objectives

You will be able to:Determine whether a stain is blood. Determine whether a bloodstain is human or

animal blood. Determine the blood type of a simulated

bloodstain using the ABO/Rh system. Explore bloodstain patterns as a function of

velocity, direction, and height of fall. Use technology and mathematics to improve

investigations and communications.

SerologyThe examination and analysis of body fluids. A forensic serologist may analyze a variety of

body fluids including saliva, semen, urine, and blood.

From 1950 to the late 1980s, forensic serology was a most important part of lab procedures.

With DNA techniques, more time, money, and significance were placed on developing DNA labs.

With limited funds and the time required for DNA testing, most labs still use many of the basic serology testing procedures

What makes up our blood?RED BLOOD CELLS (Erythrocytes) – The most abundant

cells in our blood; they are produced in the bone marrow and contain a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to our cells.

WHITE BLOOD CELLS (Leukocytes) – They are part of the immune system and destroy infectious agents called pathogens.

PLASMA – This is the yellowish liquid portion of blood that contains electrolytes, nutrients and vitamins, hormones, clotting factors, and proteins such as antibodies to fight infection.

PLATELETS (Thrombocytes) – The clotting factors that are carried in the plasma; they clot together in a process called coagulation to seal a wound and prevent a loss of blood.

Blood CharacteristicsPlasma is the fluid portion of the

blood (55 percent).

Cells (45 percent)Erythrocytes are red blood

cells. They are responsible for oxygen distribution.

Leukocytes are the white blood cells; they are responsible for “cleaning” the system of foreign invaders.

Thrombocytes or platelets are responsible for blood clotting.

Serum is the liquid that separates from the blood when a clot is formed

Blood Terminology

ABO blood groups—based on having A, B, both, or no antigens on red blood cells

Rh factor—may be present on red blood cells; positive if present and negative if not

Antigen—a substance that can stimulate the body to make antibodies. Certain antigens (proteins) found in the plasma of the red blood cell’s membrane account for blood type.

Antibody—a substance that reacts with an antigen

Agglutination—clumping of red blood cells; will result if blood types with different antigens are mixed

Forensic Science Lab Activity

T. Trimpe 2006 http://sciencespot.net/

Warning: Some material in this presentation and related videos may be too graphic for some people.

Unknown Stain at a Scene

Questions to be answered:

Is it blood?

Is it human blood?

Whose is it?

Determine blood type, alcohol content, drugs present

Determine the method(s) in which blood may have been deposited

Presumptive Tests for Blood DeterminationKastle-Meyer color test—a mixture of

phenolphthalein and hydrogen peroxide; the hemoglobin will cause the formation of a deep pink color if blood is present

Hematest tablet—reacts with the heme group in blood, causing a blue-green color

Luminol test—reaction with blood to produce light

Human versus Animal Blood

Microscopic observation

Precipitin test—blood is injected into a rabbit; antibodies are formed; the rabbit’s blood is extracted as an antiserum; the antiserum is placed on sample blood. The sample will react with human proteins if human blood is present. This test is very sensitive and requires only a small amount of blood.

Animal Blood

Larger nucleic red blood cells

Frog blood

Microscopic Views

Bird Blood

Cat Blood

Dog Blood

Fish Blood

Frog Blood

Snake BloodHuman Blood

Horse Blood

Blood Spatter Evidence

A field of forensic investigation that deals with:

physical properties of blood patterns produced under different

conditions as a result of various forces being applied to the blood.

Blood, as a fluid, follows the laws ofphysics.

Blood Spatter EvidenceBlood samples – Can be analyzed to determine blood

type and DNA, which can be matched to possible suspects.

Blood droplets – Can be analyzed to give clues to the location of a crime, movement of a victim, and type of weapon.

Blood spatter – Can be analyzed to determine patterns that give investigators clues to how a crime might have happened.

Light SourceInvestigators will first examine the crime scene to look for areas that may contain blood. They may use a high-intensity light or UV lights to help them find traces of blood as well as other bodily fluids that are not visible under normal lighting conditions.

How is blood evidence detected at a crime scene?

Blood Reagent TestsThese tests, referred to as presumptive tests, are used to detect blood at crime scenes based upon the properties of hemoglobin in the blood. Further tests at the crime lab can determine if it is human blood or not.

Examples:

• Phenolphthalein is a chemical that is still utilized today and is usually referred to as the Kastle-Meyer test and produces a pink color when it reacts with hemoglobin.

• HemaStix is a strip that has been coated with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and will produce a green or blue-green color with the presence of hemoglobin.

Kastle-Meyer TestVideo

HemaStix

Luminol This chemical is used by crime scene investigators to locate traces of blood, even if it has been cleaned or removed. Investigators spray a luminol solution is throughout the area under investigation and look for reactions with the iron present in blood, which causes a blue luminescence. One problem is that other substances also react, such as some metals, paints, cleaning products, and plant materials. Another problem is that the chemical reaction can destroy other evidence in the crime scene.

Luminol Reaction

LCV or Leuco Crystal Violet, is one type of chemical process that is used for blood enhancement. Using this test helps to make the blood evidence more visible so it can be photographed and analyzed.

FluoresceinThis chemical is also capable of detecting latent or old blood, similar to luminol. It is ideal for fine stains or smears found throughout a crime scene. After the solution has been sprayed onto the substance or area suspected to contain blood, a UV light and goggles are used to detect any illuminated areas, which appear greenish-white if blood is present. It may also react to many of the same things as luminol (copper and bleach).

Fluorescein Reaction in

UV Light

What does the abbreviation BPA represent? Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

What can an investigator learn from the analysis of a blood spatter? Type and velocity of weapon Number of blows Handedness of assailant (right or left-handed) Position and movements of the victim and assailant during and after the attack Which wounds were inflicted first Type of injuries How long ago the crime was committed Whether death was immediate or delayed

http://www.crimescenetwo.com/img/popup/book2p2.jpg

Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/bloodstain-pattern-analysis1.htm

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Terms

Spatter – Bloodstains created from the application of force to the area where the blood originated.

Origin/Source – The place from where the blood spatter came from or originated.

Angle of Impact – The angle at which a blood droplet strikes a surface.

Parent Drop

Spines

Satellite Spatters• Parent Drop – The droplet from which a

satellite spatter originates.• Satellite Spatters – Small drops of blood

that break of from the parent spatter when the blood droplet hits a surface.

• Spines – The pointed edges of a stain that radiate out from the spatter; can help determine the direction from which the blood traveled.

Types of Bloodstain Patterns

Passive Bloodstains◦ Patterns created from the force of gravity◦ Drop, series of drops, flow patterns, blood pools, etc.

• Projected Bloodstains– Patterns that occur when a force is applied to the

source of the blood– Includes low, medium, or high impact spatters, cast-

off, arterial spurting, expiratory blood blown out of the nose, mouth, or wound.

• Transfer or Contact Bloodstains– These patterns are created when a wet, bloody object

comes in contact with a target surface; may be used to identify an object or body part.

– A wipe pattern is created from an object moving through a bloodstain, while a swipe pattern is created from an object leaving a bloodstain.

Images from http://www.bloodspatter.com/BPATutorial.htm

Blood Pattern Reconstruction

Scene Pattern Reconstruction

1. Stain condition

2. Pattern

3. Distribution

4. Location

5. Directionality

Lab Results Reconstruction

1. Genetic marker typing

2. Age determination

3. Source determination

4. Race determination

5. Sex determination