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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
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)