1. Forensic Biology (Serology) FRSC 2001 Professor Bensley Alfred State College

2. Forensic Biology (Serology) What is Serology? What is Serology? Blood is composed of? Blood is composed of? Formed elements Formed elements Fluids Fluids

3. Collection of Physical Evidence-Blood Submit the Entire Stained Item if Possible! Submit the Entire Stained Item if Possible! NEVER use plastic bags for packaging NEVER use plastic bags for packaging Allow item to air dry then package in paper, seal and label Allow item to air dry then package in paper, seal and label Handle evidence carefully to prevent loss of trace evidence Handle evidence carefully to prevent loss of trace evidence

4. Bloodstain Characterization Is it blood? Is it blood? From what species did the blood originate? From what species did the blood originate? If the blood is of human origin, how closely can it be associated with a particular individual? If the blood is of human origin, how closely can it be associated with a particular individual?

5. Is it Blood? Presumptive Tests Kastle-Meyer Color Test Kastle-Meyer Color Test Uses chemical phenolphthalein Uses chemical phenolphthalein

6. Is it Blood? Presumptive Tests Luminol Luminol

7. Is it Human Blood? Antigen/antibody Antigen/antibodyreaction Uses anti-sera Uses anti-sera Ring Precipitin test Ring Precipitin test Ouchterlony Double Ouchterlony Double Diffusion Test

8. Can I Individuate the Blood? ABO Blood Typing ABO Blood Typing Used almost exclusively until early 1990s Used almost exclusively until early 1990s Enzyme Typing Enzyme Typing

9. Other Body Fluids What is a Secretor? What is a Secretor? Seminal Fluid Seminal Fluid Cellular component = spermatozoa Cellular component = spermatozoa Fluid component = seminal plasma Fluid component = seminal plasma Acid phosphatase = enzyme Acid phosphatase = enzyme from the prostate gland p30 (PSA) = prostate- specific antigen p30 (PSA) = prostate- specific antigen

10. Other Body Fluids/Tissues Saliva – test for amylase Saliva – test for amylase Vaginal secretions Vaginal secretions Feces – urobilinogen (bile pigment) Feces – urobilinogen (bile pigment) Urine – test for urea Urine – test for urea Hair – screening test looking for presence of epithelial cells on root Hair – screening test looking for presence of epithelial cells on root