Keiran Eagen

Crime Scene #1
Evidence Being Examined: Blood Samples
Forensic Science Used: Blood Typing
Blood typing was first introduced into crime scene investigation in the 1900s. Paul Uhlenhuth
conducted a series of experiments that started the ball rolling to a huge change in the process
of criminal investigation. Uhlenhuth created the precipitin test, which used a serum that
reacted to human blood, but not an animals. The serum not reacting human blood made it
easier to determine whether or not the blood sample found was human or not. Later on Karl
Landsteiner discovered ABO blood groups. Scientists soon made the realization that the typing
of blood was extremely when transferring blood, after the misfortunes involved with early
blood transfusions. The discovery of A, B, O and AB blood types has effectively changed and
helped solve investigations of crime all over the world.
Blood typing is a method that is used to identify certain blood types in general as well as in
crime scenes. The blood that is collected as evidence is dropped into different vials containing
anti-A antibody solution, anti-B antibody solution, and an Rh factor antibody solution. Watching
carefully to see how the blood reacts to the antibody one may determine what blood type the
person is and whether they are Rh positive or negative. If the blood reacts in a positive way
towards the antibody in the vial then the person is that blood type.
Human blood has hundreds of different antigens which would make it impractical and
inefficient to test for them all. Scientists have created the ABO system which involves
examining the surface of red blood cells for two antigens known as A and B. Then naming the
blood type according to the antigens it contains, which includes A, B, AB, and O. Then whether
or not the blood contains the Rh factor. For example if blood does contain the Rh factor it is
positive, represented as a +, or negative, represented as A-. The basic foundation of serology
states that for every antigen a specific antibody exists. For example when the A blood type
meets with B blood type they will not accept one another.
We have learned from Aaron Lees doctor that he was O+ blood type. According to the blood
typing done on the samples from Michelle Lees shirt, the wall, the blood on the table, and the
blood on Aaron Lee that all these samples returned O+. So we assume that this blood was his
blood. The blood sample taken from Michelle Lees collar came back as O-. The blood sample
that Michelle Lee gave was determined as O-.
Sources
"Blood Typing and Modern Day Forensics - Loyola New Orleans Online."Blood Typing and
Modern Day Forensics - Loyola New Orleans Online. Lyola University, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2014.

Cafasso, Jacquelyn. "Blood Typing and Crossmatching." Medical Information & Trusted Health
Advice: Healthline. George Krucik, MD, MBA, 4 June 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2014.