FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

BLOOD STAINS

Bloodstain pattern analysis(BPA) is one of several specialties in the field of forensic science. The use of
blood stains as evidence is not new, however, the application of modern science has brought it to higher level.
New technologies, especially advances in DNA analysis, are available for detectives and criminologists to use
in solving crimes and apprehending offenders.
The science of bloodstain pattern analysis applies scientific knowledge from other fields to solve practical
problems. Bloodstain pattern analysis draws on the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry, math and
physics. If an analyst follows a scientific process, this applied science can produce strong, solid evidence,
making it an effective tool for investigators(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki?Bloodstain pattern analysis)

Different Kinds of Blood Stains

1. Passive Blood stains are those stains created by the force of gravity.
.a. Passive Drops- Bloodstream drop(s) created or formed by the force of gravity acting
alone.

b. Drip Pattern- A bloodstain pattern which results from blood dripping into blood.

c. Flow Pattern- A change in the shape and direction of a bloodstain due to the
influence of gravity or movement of the object.

d. Pool Pattern- A bloodstain pattern formed when a source of blood is stationary for a
period of time.

2. Projected Blood stain - occurs when some form of energy has been transferred to a blood source.
3.
a. Low Velocity Impact Spatter (LVIS)- a bloodstain pattern that is caused by a low velocity impact/
force to a blood source.

b. Medium Velocity Impact Spatter (MVIS)- a bloodstain pattern caused by medium velocity impact/
force to a blood source . A beating typically causes this type of spatter.

c. High Velocity Impact Spatter-(HVIS)- a bloodstain pattern caused by a high velocity impact/force to
a blood source such as that produced by gunshot or high -speed
machinery.

d. Cast-off Pattern- A bloodstain ceated when blood is released or thrown from a blood-bearing object
in motion.

e. Arterial Spurting (OR Gushing) Pattern- Bloodstain pattern(s) resulting from blood exiting the body
under pressure from a breached artery.

f. Back Spatter-blood directed back towards the source of energy or force that cause the spatter.

g. Expiratory Blood- Blood that is blown out of the nose, mouth, or a wound as a result
of air pressure and/ or air flow which is the propelling force.

4. Transfer or Contact Bloodstains-

A transfer or contact stain is produced when an object with blood comes in contact with an object or
surface that does NOT have blood..It may be possible to discern the object that left the blood
impression.

a. Wipe Pattern- A bloodstain pattern created when an object moves through an existing stain,
removing and/ or altering its appearance.
 b. Swipe Pattern- The transfer of blood from a moving source onto an unstained surface. Direction
of travel may be determined by the feathered edge.

Importance of the Study of Blood:

1. The examination of blood may serve as a circumstantial evidence against or in favor of a suspect.
2. To determine the direction of the escape of the assailant.
3. To determine the cause and time of death.
4. To solve disputed parentage
5. To determine where the blood flow originated.

Problems in the study of Blood:

1. Blood undergoes a rapid change in its character with the passage of time.
2. The process of clotting and drying takes place immediately upon exposure to air.
3. Blood offers little resistance to decomposition.

To prevent these problems from occurring, blood samples should be collected as soon as possible and sent
immediately to the laboratory for examination.

Theory of Blood Grouping Tests

Blood groups were first discovered in 1900 by Karl Landsteiner, a German scientist. He took
samples of blood from 6 of his colleagues, separated the serum and prepared saline suspension of the red
cells. When each serum sample was mixed with each cell suspension, he noticed that agglutination of the cells
occurred in some mixture and but in others..

The classification of the groups was based on the realization that agglutination had occurred because the red
blood cells possessed an antigen and that the corresponding specific antibody was present in the serum.
Where no agglutination had occurred, either the antigen or the antibody was missing from the
mixture.Landsteiner isolated and recognized two separate antigens, which he called “A” and “B”. he termed
“anti-A” the antibody that reacted with the”A” antigen while the antibody that reacted with “B” is called “anti-B”.

FOUR BLOOD GROUPS:

1. Group A. Individuals who have “A” antigen on their red cells which showed agglutination
with “anti-A”.

2. Group B. Individuals who have “B” antigen on their red blood cells which showed agglutination with
“anti-B”.

3. Group O. Individuals who have neither of the two antigens an their red cells. Their cells showed no
agglutination with either “anti-A” or “ anti-B”

4. Group AB. Individuals who have both antigens on their red cells and showed agglutination with both
the “anti-A’ and “anti-B”.

Groups A, B & O were recognized in 1901 by Landsteiner while Group AB was discovered by his
Students, Von Decastello and Sturli.
Two methods of Blood Grouping:

A. CELL TYPING (Forward or Direct Typing)

Determination of the red cell agglutinogens by testing the red cells with antisera (commercially prepared of
known specificity, avidity and specific agglutinin titer)

Anti-A serum. Color BLUE

Anti-B serum Color : YELLOW

B. SERUM TYPING ( Reverse or Indirect Typing)

Determination of the antibodies in the serum using red cells of known specificity.

Relationship between ABO phenotype and genotype.

PHENOTYPE GENOTYPE

A AA, AO

B BB, BO

AB AB

O O

ABO Genotype from various mating

GENOTYPE OO AA BB AO BO AB

OO OO AO BO

AA AO AA AB

BB BO AB BB

AO AO,OO AA,AO AB,BO AO,AA,OO

BO BO,OO AB,AO BB, BO AB,AO,BO,OO BO,BB,OO

AB AO,BO AA, AB BB,AB AB,AO,AA,BO AB,BB,BO,AO AB,AA,BB

 PUNNET SQUARE;

1 2

3 5 6

4 7 8

Box 1 and 2.-Fill in the genes of the mother in each box. Take note to fill -in only one gene
per box.

Box 3 and 4- Fill – in the genes of the father in each box

Take note to fill-in only one gene per box

Box 5. Combine genes 1 and 3. This box must contain 2 genes from box 1 and box 3 only.

Box 6. Fill in genes from box 2 and 4.

Box 7. Fill in genes from box 1 and 4.

Box 8. Fill- in genes from box 2 and 4.

Example;; Father- homozygous A (AA)

Mother -heterozygous B(BO)

What are the possible blood types of their offspring?

B O

A AB AO

A AB AO

AB= 2 squares/ 4 squares x 100= 50%

Type A = 2 squares/ 4 squares x 100 = 50 %