NCJ Number
217225
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2007 Pages: 102-109
Date Published
January 2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of six presumptive tests for blood (luminol, leuchomalachite green, phenolphthalein, Hemastix, Hemident, and Bluestar) focused on their specificity, sensitivity, and whether they damaged or destroyed DNA.
Abstract
Based on these evaluation criteria, the best overall presumptive blood test was luminol. It had the greatest sensitivity and specificity, and it did not destroy the DNA. Also, it could be reapplied. Its only disadvantage is that it must be used in very low light or complete darkness. Leuchomalachite green was as specific to blood as luminol, but its sensitivity was 10 times less, and it destroyed the DNA. Phenolphthalein had equal sensitivity to most of the other tests, but was unspecific, and it reduced the amount of recoverable DNA. Hemastix were easy to transport and use and were sensitive, but they were not very specific. DNA could be recovered from stains exposed to Hemastix. Hemident was specific and sensitive, but destroyed DNA. Bluestar had blood sensitivity but poor specificity. Blood samples were taken from an anonymous donor. All equipment used to extract, store, apply, and manipulate the blood for the experiments were sterile. The donor's blood was used for all experiments and for positive controls. This paper describes the reagents, the sensitivity testing, specificity testing, DNA testing, and statistical tests. 6 tables, 1 figure, and 34 references