NCJ Number
77134
Journal
Naturwissenschaften Volume: 66 Issue: 9 Dated: (1979) Pages: 446-451
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Information currently gained from the examination of bloodstains and recent research into methods for identifying a donor's ethnic origin, sex, age, and clinical history are reviewed.
Abstract
While traditional blood-grouping techniques are highly discriminating in that they may distinguish one person's blood from that of hundreds of others, such information is of limited value in many criminal investigations because it does not normally relate to physical features such as sex or age. More detailed results from blood analysis would be especially useful in situations in which a comparison sample of blood from an offender or victim is not available for the identification of a blood-stain source. Such results are currently available with respect to ethnic origins using the genetic markers associated with particular populations. A number of laboratories throughout the world are attempting to determine the sex of donors by identifying the genetic material of cells. Since the discovery that the fluorochrome stain quinacrine mustard (or the related stain quinacrine dihydrochloride) specifically stains the Y-chromosome characteristic of the human male, good progress has been made in this direction. Drug identification techniques are also being developed so that aspirin, morphine, tobacco traces, and other substances may be identified, revealing clues about a donor's lifestyle. In addition, new antibody profiling techniques may allow investigators to detect donors' previous illnesses and present age levels. Data tables, illustrations, and a 30-item reference list are included.