What is Forensic Serology?
Forensic Serology is the application of serology, the study of serums and bodily fluids (blood, semen, saliva, etc.), to detect, classify and show the relation to said fluids to a crime scene.
The fluids that investigators are looking for are: blood, semen, saliva, sweat, urine and feces. These contains both the victim’s and the suspect’s DNA and can aid in the recreation of the crime.
Content of Blood
Blood is the body fluid that keeps us alive, as it delivers nutrients, oxygen and other vital substances to cells and organs and also transports waste materials away from those cells, among other functions.
The components of blood include Plasma, Red blood cells, White blood cells (leukocytes), and Platelets.
In Forensics
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Many tests were created to detect and test blood evidence at the crime scene.
Hemastix Tests are 3" plastic strips with a special blood reagent material at the tip. These strips detect the peroxide-like activity of hemoglobin in a substance.
To perform this test, the Hemastix is rubbed on a moistened stain or across a swab that has a suspected dried blood sample on it. If hemoglobin is detected, the reagent coated tip will turn a shade of green.
The only issue with Hemastix is that it can’t detect the difference between human and animal blood.
The Kastle Meyer Test is performed by first collecting a blood sample, then a drop of phenolphthalin reagent is added to the sample, and after a few seconds, a drop of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the swab. If the swab turns pink rapidly, it is said to test presumptive positive for blood. Waiting for periods over 30 seconds will result in most swabs turning pink naturally as they oxidize on their own in the air.
Alternatively, the swab can first be treated with a drop of ethanol in order to lyse the cells present and gain increased sensitivity and
Forensic science technicians perform chemical, biological, and physical analysis on evidence taken from crime scenes. Forensic scientist experts help and aid criminal examinations by gathering and breaking down the evidence in order to confirm or deny any claims. Numerous of these experts spend a significant amount of time in either a crime scene examination or research center investigation. Most of these forensic professionals invest a great deal of time composing reports about their investigation. Investigate wrongdoing scenes to figure out what and how proof ought to be gathered.
The Uses of Forensic Anthropology To understand the many uses of forensic anthropology, one must first know what it means. Forensic anthropology is defined as the examination of human remains (for law enforcement agencies) to determine the various unknown aspects of a murder. Forensic anthropology is a very important tool in the hands of an investigator. It can be used to determine many previously unknown factors in an investigation. Forensic anthropology is used every day and has many different purposes.
To limit the amount of errors or contamination in any procedure lab safety rules, gloves, and the aseptic technique was strictly enforced throughout the experiment. The first step to identifying the unknown bacterium was the Streak Plate Method. This method is used to isolate a pure culture from a mixed culture. Also, this method included streaking a tryptic soy agar (TSA) plate into four quadrants, and later incubating the plate for 24 hours.
Blood contains both slid and liquid form in our body and becomes a jelly like substance once it exits the body. A blood spatter deeply understands the proportion of blood and its various types. An analyst can describe how the blood came out of the body depending on the type of injury which took place. Blood can be looked like a flow, drip, spray, spurt or a gush (http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/blood/principles.html). Blood describes its velocity by its stains.
Forensic Science Technicians collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical information related to criminal investigations. They perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. They can testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. They may also serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry. Forensic Technicians are responsible for many tasks, these include: • Keeping records and preparing reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Blood reoccurs through the duration of the novel. In chapter 11... "Blood is the life" is stated (181). Blood is gives humans life, such as in chapter 12 when Lucy is on her death bed and in need of a blood transfusion: "One, two, three, all opened their veins for her..." (190). Dracula's desire for blood presents its importance. This also show his lust for a human's most important possesion, their blood.
It 's circumstantial, biological, and class. It was crucially important to the case. At the crime scene, the investigators found blood. They collected it and analyzed it, by running tests. The tests came back to prove that the blood was the same type as O.J. Only 0.5% of the population would have matched.
(Scientific and Legal Applications of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation.)(n.d.). Expiated bloodstain pattern,
Forensic pathology is a field that works directly with the criminal justice system and the field of medicine. Forensic pathologist, also known as medical examiners, main priority is to examine the bodies of people who died suddenly, unexpected, or violently. (ExploreHEALTHCareers.org) In order to perform the duties of a forensic pathologist, it requires a significant amount of time and dedication. An extensive amount of training and skill is required to perform the duties of a forensic pathologist.
1. There are three primary functions of blood; transporting, defending, and regulating. Blood stands as the main conduit for nutrient transportation in the body. For starters, it take blood from the lungs and then passes it out to the various tissue along with nutrients it retrieved from the digestive tract. In addition to several nutrients and carbon dioxide, blood also moves several wastes such as nitrogen by way of capillary exchange.
Forensic pathology is a subspecialty that focuses on the cause of death by examining a corpse. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies during an investigation under criminal law. Some things that are helpful to know before pursuing the career of a forensic pathologist is that they do have to preform surgeries. That a pathologist under this specific specialty will have hands on experience. The majority of their career will not be sitting behind a microscope all day.
Insects can also make investigations harder, this is because insects such as cockroaches, flies and fleas can walk through the blood leaving small specks of blood similar to blood spatter, also flies and fleas will feast on blood from one area and pass it into their faeces which will test positive when
Getting a job in forensics takes the ability to incorporate all of the scientific strengths learned and the love for solving crimes. Giving expertise on legal activities also plays a major role in investigating and solving misdemeanors(“Discover Careers in Forensic Science”). Many occupations in forensics can be sometimes labeled as morbid or gruesome. Some of these careers may include, forensic crime scene investigators, coroners, anthropologists, and pathologists(forensic medical examiners)(Palmer). These professions salaries can range anywhere from 50,000 to over 200,000 a year(Kaelin).
1. Give three different examples of the function of blood. -Blood supplies the body with the nutrients that are essential for the body; such as the following: oxygen, glucose, and insulin. - Blood removes the waste products of metabolism, in terms of creatinine, carbon dioxide and urea. -Blood provides a defense mechanism for the white blood cell count and the antibodies.
I have always been interested in criminal justice and the medical field, and forensic pathology allows to be involved with both. A forensic pathologists job is to figure out how someone died, what caused them to die, and what time they died. Forensic pathologists examine someone who is deceased to figure out their cause of death. On Explore Health Careers, it says, “Forensic pathologists, or medical examiners, are specially trained physicians who examine the bodies of people who died suddenly, unexpectedly or violently” (“Forensic Pathologists”).