Remote Spectroscopic Identification of Bloodstains

• NCJ Number: 236876
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2011 Pages: 1471-1475
• Author(s): Rolf H. Bremmer, Ph.D.; Gerda Edelman, M.Sc.; Tessa D. Vegter; Ted Bijvoets; Maurice C.G. Aalders, Ph.D.
• Date Published: November 2011
• Length: 5 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO); Technology Foundation STW
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The authors of this study present a fast and nondestructive identification test for blood, using noncontact reflectance spectroscopy.

Abstract

Blood detection and identification at crime scenes are crucial for harvesting forensic evidence. Unfortunately, most tests for the identification of blood are destructive and time consuming. The authors present a fast and nondestructive identification test for blood, using noncontact reflectance spectroscopy. The authors fitted reflectance spectra of 40 bloodstains and 35 nonbloodstains deposited on white cotton with spectroscopic features of the main compounds of blood. Each bloodstain was measured 30 times to account for aging effects. The outcome of the blood measurements was compared with the reflectance of blood-mimicking stains and various body fluids. The study found that discrimination between blood and nonblood deposited on white cotton is possible with a specificity of 100 percent and a sensitivity of 98 percent. In conclusion, a goodness of fit between the sample's reflectance and the blood component fit may allow identification of blood at crime scenes by remote spectroscopy. (Published Abstract)