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Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Analysts

Blood

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Reporting Guidelines - Blood

TestReporting
Positive Kastle-Meyer (KM) or Hemastix® (or other preliminary color test(s))*
  • Blood was indicated on ___.
  • Analysis of ___ gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood.
Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Positive Takayama (Hemochromogen)1
  • Blood was identified on ____.
Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Positive Takayama (Hemochromogen)
AND
Species testing (human antiserum) or ABAcard HemaTrace® Test
  • Blood was identified on ____, and human antigen (or hemoglobin) activity was detected.
  • Analysis of ___ gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood. Analysis of __ indicates the presence of human proteins.

Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Positive Takayama (Hemochromogen)
AND
Negative Species testing (human antiserum)

or ABAcard HemaTrace® Test

  • Blood was identified on ___, however no human antigen (or hemoglobin) activity was detected.
  • Analysis of ___ gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood. Analysis of __ failed to indicate the presence of human proteins.
Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Negative Takayama (Hemochromogen)
  • Preliminary tests indicated blood on ________, but further tests could not confirm the identity of blood.
Negative Visual
  • No stains consistent with blood were observes on ___.
Negative KM or Hemastix®
  • No blood was detected on ___.
  • Analysis of ___ failed to give presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood.
*There are numerous preliminary color tests that can be used in forensic testing methods. The most common are noted; however, other preliminary color tests could be reported similarly.

[1] Learn more about the Takayama test in the course Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts.

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Date Created: July 18, 2023