Blood Poster
Aisha Rehan
Blood in Forensics
Famous 16-year old Texas girl Muder
Ricky McGinn was tried for the horrific rape and murder of a 16 year old Texan girl in 1994. He had been previously accused of murder, rape and molestation. Bloody evidence including a hammer found in his car, and drops of blood on his shoes matched the victim’s type.
Also, in 2000, after years on death row, an appeal was made to Governor George W Bush to test DNA on a single pubic hair found in the victim’s private parts. Governor Bush granted a stay of execution based on a brief filed by Barry Scheck, OJ Simpson’s lawyer, and tests were made and verified. The DNA matched McGinn, and his execution was carried out September 27, 2000.
Forensic Terminology
Serology--what is it?
Plasma
Antibodies
Antigens
Erythrocytes
ABO
Forensics useS a system called 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.
Rh
Leukocytes
Leukocytes are white blood cells and a type of blood cell that lacks hemoglobin and is therefore colorless.
Platelets
Hemoglobin
Blood Factors
Theoretically, no one, except identical twins, has the same combination of blood factors. In the forensic-science world, blood-factor identification is not yet practical as a means of individualization.
Serum
Fun Facts
- Luminol is a powder made up of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon that glows blue when it comes into contact with the hemoglobins in blood.
- Luminol can detect minute amounts of blood even after an area has been washed-- even years later.
- A human must lose approximately 40% of his or her total blood volume before they are at risk for death from blood loss.
- Blood spatter analysis can be essential in determining the type of weapon used during a crime.
Works Cited
http://www.unitednuclear.com/blood.htm
http://murderpedia.org/male.M/m1/mcginnrickeynolen.htm
http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/blood-types.html
https://30minutescience.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/is-it-blood-the-kastle-meyer-test/