Experiment 3

NAME: __________________________________________ GROUP NUMBER: __________

YEAR AND SECTION: _______________________________ DATE PERFORMED: ________
PROFESSOR: _____________________________________ DATE CORRECTED: _________

EXPERIMENT 3
GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN THE COLLECTION, PACKING
PRESERVATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BLOOD AND BLOODSTAINED EVIDENCES

OBJECTIVE: To learn the correct techniques and procedures in collecting, packing, preserving,
and identifying blood and blood stained evidences.

MATERIALS:
liquid blood blood stains on smooth surfaces
Blood stains on large surfaces knife or razor
Blood stains on clothing paper bags
Scotch tape white mailing envelope
Marker test tube
Tying material sodium fluoride solution

DISCUSSION:
Blood and blood stains is a type of physical evidence that is so fragile in nature that a
slight act of carelessness in handling can destroy their value as clues and removes the possibility
of obtaining from them any information which would help in the investigation. It is necessary
that the evidence presented in court be in a good condition similar to that when it was left at
the time of the offense. In order for these physical objects to be admitted as evidence, it is
necessary to preserve them in practically the same condition without substantial changes.
Hence, evidence should be protected from accidental or intentional change during the period
extending from its first discovery after the commission of the offense, to its ultimate disposition
at the conclusion of the investigation.
A few simple rules can guide the investigator in the protection of evidence from its
initial discovery at the scene of the crime, until its final appearance in the court. A violation of
these rules may lead to the partial loss of the value of the evidence and, in some instances, to
the acquittal of the accused. It is therefore very important that the investigator be able to
recognize and gather valuable physical evidence supplemented by knowledge of the correct
procedure/technique in caring for evidence.
 Experiment 3

PROCEDURE:
A. LIQUID BLOOD
Before collecting the specimen, make careful notes describing the exact locarion and
condition of the blood or blood stains you find. Note down the general color and condition of
the bloodstain. If the blood has a bright red color, it is fresh. As the blood becomes older, the
red color changes to a dark brown color.

1. a. Collect the blood sample with a clean medicine dropper and place it in a clean test tube
containing sodium fluoride.

b. Cover the test tube with a stopper and seal.

c. Label the test tube bearing the initials or name of the investigator. In addition, indicate the
date of collection and sealing. The label may be in the form o paper pasted on the container
or a tag tied to the object.

2. a. In the absence of sodium fluoride, ut the blood in a microscope slide or soak them in
pieces of blotting paper or filter paper and let them dry carefully without any heat.

b. Place the dried stain in a pillbox or a white mailing envelope and seal by placing a masking
tape across the flap of the envelope and label by inscribing thereon the case information.

OBSERVATION

1. Is the blood collected fresh or old? Explain.

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2. What is the purpose of adding sodium fluoride to the liquid blood sample?
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3. Why is it not ideal that the liquid blood sample be dried by heat?
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 Experiment 3

B. BLOOD STAIN ON CLOTHINGS AND FABRICS

1. Encircle with chalk or any marking material the stained areas found on the clothing. If
clothing is still wet, let it dry completely at room temperature in a secure well ventilated
room. Do not place in area where there is direct sunlight or heat.

2. Place identifying marks directly on the cloth, as far away from the stained areas as possible.

3. If buttons are present, attach a string tag bearing the information regarding the case

4. Wrap and pack the clothing separately in a closed paper container such as paper bag.

5. Place the bag containing the items in a coldest and driest facility possible ever until it is sent
to the laboratory.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Why are blood stained clothing allowed to dry completely before packing?
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2. Why is paper bag and not plastic bag preferred as container for blood stained clothing?
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C. BLOOD STAINS ON WALLS AND FLOORS(LARGE SOLID SURFACES)

1. Place a clean sheet of paper below the surface where the stain is found.

2. With the use of a razor blade or clean knife, loosen and scrape the dried material onto the
paper.

3. Shake the powdered stain to the center of the paper and fold. Scrapings removed from the
different areas of the walls and floors are separately placed on a paper and labeled to
indicate the location where they were found.

4. Seal the folded paper thoroughly with a cellophane tape and individually place them inside a
white mailing envelope; seal them with masking tape and affix the initials of the investigator,
date when it was collected and other information.
 Experiment 3

OBSERVATION
1. Why are blood stains found in different areas of the floors and walls packed individually?
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D. BLLOD STAINS ON HARD OBJECTS(SUCH AS HAMMER, KNIVES,ETC)

1. Place identifying marks directly on the recovered object, as far away from the stained area as
possible. Provide a label or string tag bearing the following information:

a. Case number

b. Date and time the specimen was found

c. Location and time of recovery

d. Signature of the investigator

e. Name of witness to the discovery

2. Dry wet objects at room temperature. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or heat.

3. After drying, wrap the object in a closed paper container and proceed as in number 1.

OBSERVATION

1. If alleged blood stain is found on movable objects like hammer and knife, who is the ideal
person to collect the stain? Why?
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E. BLOOD STAINS ON SMOOTH OR GLAZED OBJECTS

1. With the use of separate cottons that are moistened with saline solution, swab alleged
blood stains found in different areas of the surface.

2. Dry the cotton thoroughly at room temperature and place the swabs separately in a white
 mailing envelope.

Experiment 3

3. Seal the envelope with masking tape by placing across the flap and label by inscribing
thereon the location where the stain was found, initial of the investigator and the date as well
the time the sample was collected.

OBSERVATION
1. Why is cotton moistened with saline solution and not with alcohol or acetone?
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