Blood
Alexandra Bowles
How is blood useful in forensics?
Blood typing, when conducted accurately, is a valuable piece of evidence for forensic nurses, helping to pinpoint individuals and their relation to the crime. Human blood includes over 100 different antigens, which could be impractical and time-consuming to test for each antigen during the already-complicated process of crime solution. LNCs instead incorporate a number of different blood testing techniques, specifically the ABO system, which involves examining the surface of the red blood cells for two antigens known as A and B, with blood type being named after the type of antigens it contains, including A, B, AB and O. The basic foundation of serology states that for every antigen, a specific antibody is in existence.
Why is it important?
Famous Cases
The Sam Sheppard Case:
Blood and blood-spatter analysis is used to suggest probable doubt as to Sheppard's guilt that he beat his wife to death. This is one of the first cases blood is in forensic analysis.
Blood-spatter analysis was used to disprove Vaughn's story of the crime and prove his guilt.
The Mya Lyons Murder:
Blood-spatter analysis shows evidence that Mya Lyons was killed inside her father's van which does not line up with the father's story.
Fun Facts About Blood
Definitions: Do you know blood?
Serology
One important aspect of Serology is determining whether or not stains resembling blood found at a crime scene are actually blood or some other stain that bears a similar resemblance.
Plasma
Antibodies
Antigens
Erythrocytes
ABO
Rh
Leukocytes
Platelets
Hemoglobin
Blood factors
Serum
Works Cited
http://www.forensicscienceonline.org/25-surprising-facts-about-forensic-science/
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/blood.html
http://www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/resources/7-things-about-blood-spatter-analysis
http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/serology.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4934
http://forensic-medecine.info/forensic-serology.html
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-antibodies-definition-function-types.html
https://quizlet.com/3586263/forensic-science-vocabulary-9-blood-flash-cards/
http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/blood/glossary.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15738