NCJ Number
75027
Journal
Medicine, Science and the Law Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1980) Pages: 239-245
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This British article notes that the great amount of evidence that can be obtained from bloodstains and the increased complexity of the reports on the evidence make it necessary for the defense to have separate expert help, particularly in cases where the prosecution relies solely on bloodstain evidence.
Abstract
Genetic markers detectable in bloodstains include six different red cell markers, four serum markers, and nine different red cell enzymes. This great potential for detecting evidence from bloodstains offers more evidence towards both exonerating the innocent and convicting the guilty. Defense lawyers typically need expert help in examining materials not examined by the prosecution, retesting the results obtained in tests by the prosecution, tests for further blood groups not checked by the prosecution, and an interpretation of the results of the prosecution's tests to determine if anything helpful to the defendant is being left unsaid. Out of 113 cases referred to the London Hospital Medical College's Departments of Forensic Medicine and Hemotology (England) during the years 1975-1979, at least 10 percent have resulted in a favorable outcome for the defense. These favorable outcomes include acquittal, charges dropped, evidence withdrawn, or substitution of a lesser charge. Data tables pertaining to favorable results in specific trials are included.