Skip to main content
Log in

New information from bloodstains

  • Published:
Naturwissenschaften Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The traditional philosophy behind the grouping of bloodstains in the Forensic Science Laboratory is described. It is emphasised that while these bloodgrouping methods are highly discriminating in the sense that they may distinguish one person's blood from hundreds, or thousands of others, such information may be of limited value in many crime investigations. The reason for this is that such information does not normally relate to physical features of the individual with which we are all familiar such as sex or age. Recent research work is described in which efforts are being made to deduce from small bloodstains information which indicates the donor's sex, age, ethnic origin and perhaps clinical history.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jones, D.A.: Forens. Sci. Soc. J. 12 (2), 355 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fisher, R.A.: Heredity 5 (4), 95 (1951)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Sutton, J.G., Burgess, R.: Vox Sang. 34, 97 (1978)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Grubb, R.: The Genetic Markers of Human Immunoglobulins, p. 11. London: Chapman and Hall 1970

    Google Scholar 

  5. Blanc, M., Gortz, R., Ducos, J.: J. Forens. Sci. 16 (2), 176 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Giblett, E.R.: Genetic Markers in Human Blood, p. 443. Oxford: Blackwell 1969

    Google Scholar 

  7. Davidson, W.M.: The Sex Chromatin, Chap. 3, p. 68 (Moore, K.L., ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders 1966

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zech, L.: Exp. Cell. Res. 58, 463 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kringsholm, B., Thomsen, J.L., Henningsen, K.: Forens. Sci. 9, 117 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wigmore, R., et al.: J. Forens. Sci. (in press)

  11. Schaler, R.C.: personal communication

  12. Sweet, G.H., Elvins, J.W.: Science 192, 1012 (1976)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Oepen, L., Kohler, W.: Z. Rechtsmed. 79, 83 (1977)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Asano, M., Oya, M., Hayakawa, M.: Forens. Sci. 1, 327 (1972)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Curry, A.S.: Int. Sci. Techn. 39 (1965)

  16. The General Household Survey 1973, Social Survey Division of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London (1976)

  17. King, L.A.: J. Forens. Sci. (in press)

  18. Moller, M.R., Tausch, D., Biro, G.: Z. Rechtsmed. 79, 103 (1977)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Maliszewski, T.F., Bass, D.E.: J. Appl. Physiol. 8, 289 (1955)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Langone, J.L., Gjika, H.B., Van Vunakis, H.: Biochemistry 12, 5025 (1973)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Scott, R.B.: Ed Prices Textbook of the Practice of Medicine, p. 2. London: Oxford Univ. Press 1966

    Google Scholar 

  22. Boyd, W.C.: Fundamentals of Immunology, p. 596. New York: Interscience 1966

    Google Scholar 

  23. King, L.A., Werrett, D.J., Whitehead, P.H.: Forens. Sci. 8, 151 (1976)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Wraxall, B.G.D.: Forens. Sci. Soc. J. 12 (3), 457 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  25. King, L.A., Whitehead, P.H.: Forens. Sci. 6, 197 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. New Scientist, 11th March 1976, p. 547

  27. Werrett, D.J., King, L.A., Whitehead, P.H.: Forens. Sci. Soc J. 16 (2), 121 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Aas, K., Lundkvist, U.: Clin. Allergy 3, 255 (1973)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Werrett, D.J., King, L.A.: J. Forens. Sci. 22 (4), 763 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Times (London), 31st August 1976, p. 2

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Whitehead, P.H., King, L.A. & Werrett, D.J. New information from bloodstains. Naturwissenschaften 66, 446–451 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399001

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399001

Keywords

Navigation