Use of the Hexagon OBTI Test for Detection of Human Blood at Crime Scenes and on Items of Evidence, Part II: Use on Amido Black Treated Surfaces

• NCJ Number: 202537
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2003 Pages: 576-584
• Author(s): Dalia Hermon; Myriam Azoury
• Date Published: September 2003
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Measurement/Evaluation Device
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For Part I see NCJ-202536.

Annotation

This study assessed the sensitivity of the Hexagon OBTI test for identifying human blood after the blood has undergone amido black treatment.

Abstract

Blood stains at crime scenes are routinely put through latent fingerprint and biological examinations. A protein dye known as amido black is commonly used for fingerprint detection. The authors evaluated the usefulness of the Hexagon OBTI test for blood analysis that had been previously treated with amido black. The sensitivity of the OBTI was compared to that of the Kastle-Meyer (KM) test. After blood stains and bloody fingerprints were tested with both kits, the analysis revealed the sensitivity of the OBTI test following amido black treatment was at least as sensitive as the KM test. The incubation time following amido black treatment is critical with the OBTI test; a decrease in sensitivity was noted 8 days after amido black treatment. The authors recommend the OBTI test for crime scene analysis, particularly in cases where further DNA testing has failed or is unnecessary. Tables, references