Use of the Hexagon OBTI Test for Detection of Human Blood at Crime Scenes and on Items of Evidence, Part I: Validation Studies and Implementation

• NCJ Number: 202536
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2003 Pages: 566-575
• Author(s): Dalia Hermon; Moshe Shpitzen; Carla Oz; Baruch Glattstein; Myriam Azoury; Ron Gafny
• Date Published: September 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Measurement/Evaluation Device
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For Part II see NCJ-202537.

Annotation

This article reports on a validation study that examined the use of the Hexagon OBTI test for the detection of human blood at crime scenes.

Abstract

The Israel National Police (INP) currently use the Kastle-Meyer (KM) color blood test kit for blood testing at crime scenes. The problem is this test does not specify whether the blood is human. Transferring and completing DNA profiling of the blood to determine its origin is expensive and time-consuming. As such, the authors conducted a study to adapt and validate the Hexagon OBTI kit for crime scene analysis of blood samples. After collecting and drying various types of blood, fluid, and tissue samples, the authors conducted analysis of the samples using both the Hexagon OBTI kit and the KM kit. While all blood samples reacted positively with the KM kit, only human blood reacted positively with the OBTI kit. The authors further enhanced the sensitivity of the OBTI test by reducing the volume of the sample buffer to 0.2 ml. Following the validation study, the Hexagon OBTI kit was distributed to five police units to evaluate its performance at crime scenes. A blood testing carrying case was designed to improve its ease and efficiency of use. The authors suggest that although the OBTI test seems to function well at crime scenes, the KM test should be carried out first. Figures, references