Module 3 Lesson 1 Forensic 3
Module 3 Lesson 1 Forensic 3
Module 3 Lesson 1 Forensic 3
Overview:
Module Outcome:
At the end of this module the students must have:
1. Identified biological evidence such as blood, semen and other body fluids.
2. Described the component, properties, and characteristics of biological
evidence as blood, semen and other body fluids.
3. Determined the process of collection, preservation, investigation of
biological evidence as blood, semen and other body fluids.
4. Described the test on biological evidence as blood, semen and other body
fluids.
5. Explained the importance of the study biological evidence in the
investigation as blood, semen and other body fluids.
In the conduct of crime scene investigation for crimes of violence and other
crimes, the crime scene processing or the evidence collection, handling and
transportation shall primarily be conducted by the SOCO specialists of
Crime Laboratory. However, in some instances the First Responder or the
Investigator-on-case may have to collect evidence that might
otherwise be destroyed or contaminated if uncollected. In such cases,
the collection should be properly handled and documented. The following
procedures are set as guide not only for the SOCO team but may also apply
to any crime scene investigator in the collection and handling of evidence.
The collection and submission of standard samples for comparison,
however, must be done by the Crime Laboratory.
2. Separate outer packages are to be used for trace evidence and for
clothes from persons involved.
4. Fold the opening of the bag twice and seal with tape. Envelopes should
also be sealed with tape.
d. Special precautions
1. Make an explicit note if a person from whom material has been
collected is suspected of having an infectious disease.
2. Prevent contamination by avoiding all contact between collected
evidence and clothes seized from people.
3. Packages containing collected materials must not be opened until the
examination in the laboratory is to commence. The only exception is
when moist or wet material must be dried out under normal room
conditions.
A. Blood
COMPOSITION OF BLOOD
Each blood cell performs a different function. Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
carry respiratory gases, mainly oxygen and carbon dioxide. The hemoglobin in
red blood cells is an iron-containing protein that binds to oxygen in the lungs
and transports the oxygen to cells in all the tissues in the body. Hemoglobin in
red blood cells is also responsible for the red color in blood. White blood cells
(leukocytes) fight disease and foreign invaders. Platelets (thrombocytes) aid
in blood clotting and are involved in repairing damaged blood vessels. Plasma
is the fluid portion of the blood (55 percent). Cells (45 percent) composed of
Erythrocytes are red blood cells. They are responsible for oxygen
distribution. Red blood cells are most numerous; 5 to 6 million per mm3.
Leukocytes are the white blood cells; they are responsible for “cleaning” the
system of foreign invaders. White blood cells are larger and less numerous;
5,000 to 10,000 per mm3. Thrombocytes or platelets are responsible for
blood clotting. Platelets are tiny, cellular fragments; 350,000 to 500,000 per
mm3. Serum is the liquid that separates from the blood when a clot is formed.
In 1982, white blood cells were used as a source of DNA by Dr. Alec Jeffreys
to produce the first DNA profile. The first legal case involving DNA evidence is
described in a novel entitled The Blooding by Joseph Wambaugh. Today, DNA
profiling or DNA fingerprinting is widely accepted.
BLOOD TYPING
Blood typing is less expensive and quicker for analyzing blood evidence than
is DNA profiling. Because many different people share the same type, this
blood evidence is considered to be class evidence. By typing the blood found
at a crime scene, it is possible to link a suspect to a crime scene or to exclude
a suspect. However, matching blood types does not prove guilt because many
people share the same blood type.
In 1900, Karl Landsteiner found that blood from one person did not always
freely mix with blood from another person. Instead, clumping might occur,
which could result in death. The presence or absence of particular proteins
found embedded within the cell or plasma membranes of red blood cells
determine a person’s blood type. In 1901, Landsteiner described the A and B
proteins found on the surface of red blood cells. Other red blood cell proteins,
such as the Rh factor, were later identified. The presence or absence of these
cell-surface proteins gives rise to our present system of blood typing. An
antibody reaction test is used to identify each blood type.
Blood type can be used to disprove paternity only in some cases. In other
words, the non-father's blood type may be the same or be of a type where
either man could be the father based solely on the blood type but not in the
results of a DNA Paternity test.
The ABO blood type charts below can be used to predict the possibilities of
paternity. The charts below can assist you to determine either:
1. The ABO blood type of the child when the blood type of the
father and the mother are known (top chart), or
2. The ABO blood type of the father if the blood type of the child
and the mother are known (bottom chart).
ABO blood types can be complicated to understand. This is mostly due to the
fact that the 'O-type' antigen is masked by the presence of an A- or
B-type antigen. This is explained in the following chart, showing the
different the genotypes that make up the blood types.
AO or AA A blood type
AB AB blood type
BO or BB B blood type
OO O blood type
For example, two O blood type parents can produce a child with only O blood
type. Two parents with A blood type can produce a child with either A or O
blood types. Two parents with B blood type can produce a child with either B
or O blood type. One parent with A and another with B can produce a child
with A, B, AB or O blood types. If one parent has A and another has AB, they
can either produce a child with A, B or AB blood types. If one parent has A
and another has O, they can either produce a child with A or O blood types.
BLOOD SPATTER
When a wound is inflicted and blood leaves the body, a blood-spatter pattern
may be created. A single stain or drop of blood does not constitute a spatter.
Instead, a grouping of bloodstains composes a blood-spatter pattern. This
pattern can help reconstruct the series of events surrounding a shooting,
stabbing, or beating.
💧
from the clothing of principals in a case can be used to:
Confirm or refute assumptions concerning events and their sequence:
Position of victim. (standing, sitting, lying) Evidence of a struggle.
Properties of Blood
■ Surface Tension
The elastic like property of the surface of the liquid that makes it tend to
contract, caused by the forces of attraction between the molecules of the
liquid. The cohesive forces tend to resist penetration and separation.
💧 Categories of Bloodstains
Categories Visual Immage Division
TRANSFER
BLOODSTAINS 💧 Contact bleeding
A transfer bloodstain is 💧 Swipe or Smear
created when a wet, 💧 Wipe
💧 Smudge
bloody surface comes in
contact with a secondary
surface.
A recognizable image of
all or a portion of the
original surface may be
observed in the pattern,
as in the case of a bloody
hand or footwear.
PASSIVE
BLOODSTAINS 💧 Drops
Passive Bloodstains are 💧 Drip patterns
drops created or formed
by the force of gravity 💧 Pools
acting alone. 💧 Clots
TARGET SURFACE
TEXTURE
● Bloodstains can occur
on a variety of ✔ Blood droplets
surfaces, such as that strike a
carpet, wood, tile, hard smooth
wallpaper, surface, like a
clothing, and the list piece of glass,
goes on…… will have little or
no distortion
● The type of surface around the
the blood strikes edge.
affects the amount of
resulting spatter, ✔ Blood droplets
including the size and that strike
appearance of the linoleum flooring
blood drops. take on a slightly
different
appearance.
Notice the
distortion
(scalloping)
around the edge
of the blood
droplets.
✔ Surfaces such as
wood or
concrete are
distorted to a
larger extent.
Notice the spines
and secondary
spatter
LARGE VOLUMES
OF BLOOD
Patterns created by same
volume of blood, from Dripped Blood
same source to target
distance)
Spilled Blood
PROJECTED
BLOODSTAINS
the random
dispersion of
smaller drops of
blood.
▪ Low Velocity
Gravitational pull
up to 5 feet/sec.
Relatively large
stains 4mm in
size and greater.
▪ Medium Velocity
Force of 5 to 25
feet/sec.
Preponderant
stain size 1 to
4mm in size
▪ High Velocity
Force of 100
feet/sec. and
greater.
Preponderant
stain size 1mm
in size and
smaller. Mist like
appearance
BLOOD-SPATTER ANALYSIS
DIRECTIONALITY OF BLOODSTAINS
ANGLE of IMPACT is the acute angle formed between the direction of the
blood drop and the plane of the surface it strikes.
SIN Φ = 0.5
Φ = SIN -1 0.5
= 30 degrees
B. Semen
The easiest and least intrusive to the evidence is the Alternate Light
Source. UV light and the ALS detect seminal stains by phosphorescence
and luminescence of the various materials in the semen.
Also very easy is the presumptive test for the enzyme, acid phosphatase
(AP). Many animal and vegetable tissues have AP, but it is a very high
Using ALS
Of course, there are false positive. Feminine products, fecal stains, plants,
pregnant women and prepubescent girls are all potential intereferences
with the test. But remember, semen is a heterogeneous fluid and a single
stain will contain various levels of acid phosphatase, P30, and sperm.
Since AP can be found in lower levels in other bodily fluids, it’s important
to view the test immediately and report it accurately.
How long would you expect to find the following in the vagina after
intercourse? Acid Phosphatase is detectable for approximately 72 hours
after intercourse and sperm can be found approximately 3 to 5 days
depending on activity after the assault.
Your spit contains mostly water, but bacteria, skin cells from the inside of the
mouth (buccal cells), and the substance we test for – α-amylase – is also
present. This enzyme helps break down carbohydrates, but can vary widely
between people.
Studies have also suggested that vegetarians and people from cultures that
consume a high carbohydrate diet may have higher levels of amylase than
others. In a completely non-scientific local experiment, two CSIs who came
from Central American and East Indian heritages and ate often of their
cultures’ foods (corn, beans, breads, rices, etc) had stronger reactions in
testing than a Caucasian CSI who was avoiding starchy carbohydrates and
eating primarily meats, nuts, and vegetables.
Saliva visually represents with soft edged white spots, sometimes less intense
than other stains because of fewer solids.
Saliva under UV
We’re going to look at a lab technique for the RSID-Saliva kit. Be careful when
deciding to do this test though, since case information may indicate sending
an item off for DNA analysis might be better. The RSID Saliva test is specific
for human salivary α-amylase. No cross-reaction has been observed with
blood, semen, urine, vaginal secretions, or menstrual blood. RSID test is kind
of like a pregnancy test. You’re going to get two stripes for positive, or one
for negative.
A visible red line at the Control (C) position only, indicates a negative result.
No α-amylase detected.
Visible red lines at both the Control (C) and Test (T) positions, indicate a
positive result. Α-amylase detected. A visible red line at the Test (T) position
only, indicates a failed test. Test failure, no conclusion possible.
No cross reactivity has been observed with saliva from the following animals
and pets: dog, opossum, guinea pig, woodchuck, cow, domestic cat, domestic
rabbit, tokay gecko, cuckoo, mongoose, chameleon, domestic pig, llama,
sheep, horse, goat, grey gull, ferret, hedgehog, skunk, lion, tiger, rhinoceros,
marsh snake, Sykes monkey, Capuchin monkey, tamarin, and marmoset.
On an average urine production is around 1.4 Liters per day by per person. It
depends from person to person on the various factors like weight, health,
state of hydration and environmental factors.
CONSTITUENTS OF URINE
EXAMINATION OF URINE
1. Physical Examination
Characteristics Normal Abnormal
2. Visual Examination
A suspected urine stain may fluoresce pale yellow or pale blue when viewed
under long and short-wave UV light. Safety eyeglasses, which absorb
ultraviolet radiation, must be worn when viewing material for fluorescence.
3. Microscopic Analysis
Normal Urine – White blood cells in very less quantity. Bacteria, yeast cells ,
parasites absent.
Abnormal Urine – Red blood cells in the urine indicate kidney or bladder
injury, kidney stones, a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
4. CHEMICAL TEST
5. CONFIRMATORY TEST
A. CREATININE TEST
This test is also called Jaffé color test. In this test, picric acid is used to
convert creatinine under alkaline condition to form creatinine picrate. Picric
acid is strong oxidizing agent. Creatinine is getting oxidized which is produced
by muscle metabolism. Amount of urine excreted in urine is proportional to
muscle mass of individual.
Procedure
1. Extract the stained material and blank sample.
2. Put one drop of picric acid in both the samples.
3. Add 5% of sodium hydroxide solution in the stain.
4. Observe the color change. The blank sample turns yellow color and the
stained sample turns red to brown color change.
Urea nitrate is produced in one step by reaction of urea with nitric acid. This
crystal test indicates the presence of urea in the given sample.
Procedure:
● Take the drop of sample on the glass slide.
● Put 2-3 drops of conc. nitric acid. Prevent overflow.
● Cover the slide with coverslip.
● Observe the slide under the microscope.
Observations:
Appearance of rhombohedral stacked crystals of urea nitrate which are
colorless or transparent indicates the presence of urine in the sample.
C. Detection of Indican
1 ml of resorcinol reagent is added to the small quantity of the extracted stain
then the 1ml of cupric bromide solution is added mixed and whole mixture is
extracted with amylacetate. The red color of the crystal indicates the
presence of Indican.
D. UA/UN Ratio
Uric Acid and Urea Nitrogen ratio multiplied by 20 in human urinary stain is
between 1 and 4, in other stains and animal urine its <1 or >4.
Protective Measures:
● Use protective gloves to minimize contamination risk.
● Change gloves after handling different materials.
● Utilize disposable equipment for preliminary tests and trace evidence
collection.
● Cover surfaces with protective paper and separate clothes of victims
and suspects.
●
Avoid Contamination:
● Refrain from coughing or sneezing on evidence/materials.
Special Precautions:
● Note if material source has suspected infectious disease.
● Prevent contact between collected evidence and seized clothes.
● Delay opening packages until laboratory examination, except for drying
moist material.
Blood Analysis:
● Blood typing offers class evidence; DNA profiling provides more
individualized information.
● Blood-spatter analysis aids crime scene reconstruction.
Blood Composition:
● Blood comprises red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and
plasma.
● Each cell type serves a specific function in oxygen transport, immunity,
and clotting.
Blood Typing:
● Blood typing is quicker and less costly than DNA profiling.
● Useful for linking/excluding suspects but not proving guilt.
Rh Blood Types:
● Rh factor inherited separately from ABO blood types.
● Rh- gene masked by Rh+ genotype.
Blood-Spatter Analysis:
● Patterns help determine direction, angle of impact, point of origin.
● Categories include transfer, passive, and projected bloodstains.
● History dates back to the late 19th century.
Properties of Blood:
● Blood volume is about 8% of body weight.
● Surface tension affects bloodstain appearance.
Bloodstain Categories:
● Transfer bloodstains from contact with a surface.
● Passive bloodstains due to gravity.
● Projected bloodstains from external/internal forces.
Saliva:
● Saliva is a biological secretion containing enzymes and proteins, with
alpha-amylase being a key component. Its detection supports
identification and genotyping of individuals. Detection methods include
ALS, radioimmunoassay, and lateral flow immunochromatographic strip
tests (RSID-Saliva). These tests are used to determine the presence of
saliva, especially for crime scene evidence.
Urine:
● Urine is a byproduct of cellular metabolism, rich in water and various
solutes. It can be crucial in cases involving poisoning, strangulation,
and sexual assault. Physical, visual, and chemical examinations, along
with microscopic analysis, help identify urine stains. Urea and
creatinine tests, thin-layer chromatography, and urine drug testing are
common methods for detecting urine.
References:
Canadian Children's Rights Council - Conseil canadien des droits des enfants.
(n.d.). Blood type CHART_CHILD father mother-paternity determination
by blood type - parents & child. Canadian Children's Rights Council –
Conseil canadien des droits des enfants, Child rights Canada, Paternity
testing, Paternity Fraud, Child rights and DNA testing.
https://canadiancrc.com/paternity_determination_blood_type.aspx
https://courseresources.mit.usf.edu/~test/lecture/files/pdf/cas_sample.
pdfb PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE. (2011). FIELD MANUAL ON
INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES OF VIOLENCE AND OTHER CRIMES.
Philippine National Police. https://pnp.gov.ph/images/Manuals
_and_Guides/DIDM/Field-Manual-on-Investigation-of-Crimes-of-Violenc
e-and-other-Crimes.pdf
Self-check (Assessment)
1. Discuss the general rules and precautions for the collection and
preservation of biological materials at a crime scene. Highlight the
importance of using protective gear, avoiding contamination, and
proper packaging methods. Provide examples of different biological
materials and how they should be collected, packaged, and stored.
Explain why it is crucial to maintain the integrity of biological evidence
throughout the entire process, from collection to laboratory
examination. Discuss how these procedures contribute to maintaining
the chain of custody and ensuring the reliability of forensic analysis.
4. Discuss the methods and techniques used for detecting and analyzing
body fluids in forensic investigations. Highlight the advantages and
limitations of these methods.