Identifying Bloodstains

Small, Faint and Hidden Bloodstains

This group needs a critical visual inspection and is composed of (I) stains caused by sprays and splashes, (II) smears, (III) traces left after wiping or washing, (IV) specks from the activity or squashing of vermin, and (Y) hidden collections under nails of fingers and toes and in crevices and joints of weapons. All of them are represented in 14,200 (in 1940-41) to 18,500 (in 1939-40) stains t...

Photography of bloodstains visualized by luminol.

The chemical tests for blood currently in use depend upon the detection of hemoglobin or one of its derivatives [1]. Hemoglobin has several properties which make it suitable for this purpose. The most important, due to its sensitivity, is the peroxidase activity of hemoglobin heme which forms the basis of the benzidine, leuco-malachite green, phenolphthalein, and luminol tests for blood. The lu...

Biphasic Oxidation of Oxy-Hemoglobin in Bloodstains

BACKGROUND In forensic science, age determination of bloodstains can be crucial in reconstructing crimes. Upon exiting the body, bloodstains transit from bright red to dark brown, which is attributed to oxidation of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO(2)) to met-hemoglobin (met-Hb) and hemichrome (HC). The fractions of HbO(2), met-Hb and HC in a bloodstain can be used for age determination of bloodstains. In t...

Critical Revision of Presumptive Tests for Bloodstains

bipHasic oxidatioN of oxy-HemoglobiN iN bloodstaiNs

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