The Haemochromogen Crystal Test for Blood

Kerr, Douglas; Mason, Victor H.

doi:10.1136/bmj.1.3395.134

Cited by 6 publications

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“…In my research, we used the Takayama Test and the Teichmann Test, two confirmation tests that allow us to conclude with confidence that the substance is blood [9]. Hemochromogen crystal assay and immunochromatographic test are additional names for the Takayama testb [10]. The iron atom of the heme group reacts with pyridine to generate a ferroprotoporphyrin ringb [11].…”

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Tracing the Clues: Exploring Dried Bloodstain Analysis on Multiple Objects in Varied Environment Conditions

et al. 2023

IJFMR

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The primary goal of the study was to detect the presence of blood on different items often encountered at crime scenes. The researchers used a variety of techniques to analyze the blood on these surfaces. Blood samples were drawn from participants and stored in EDTA vials. Six different items were selected for analysis: a living leaf, glass slide, dry leaf, rusting iron, rubber (tyre tube), and stone. The procedure involved applying two to four drops of blood to each surface and subjecting the items to three different temperatures: room temperature, -75 degrees Celsius (in a deep refrigerator), and 150 degrees Celsius (in a hot air oven).The analysis of blood on the surfaces involved three tests: the Benzidine fast blue test, the Takayama test, and the Teichmann test. The Benzidine test produced a strong blue color if blood was present. The Takayama test resulted in salmon pink crystals, and the Teichmann test produced dark brown rhombic crystals – both indicating the presence of hemoglobin.The equipment used for analysis included a compound light microscope with various lenses for magnification. Reagents like Benzidine, glucose, pyridine, NAOH, and KCl/KBr were utilized in the tests. The samples were analyzed at different time intervals, ranging from 3 hours to 75 days after preservation. This allowed researchers to understand the stability of blood on the surfaces over time. To ensure reliable results, the study employed 10 objects for each temperature and time period. This setup facilitated comparative analysis and enhanced the credibility of the examination. The presence of blood was determined based on the outcomes of the tests and observations made under the microscope. The study's findings could potentially assist in solving crime cases and accidents involving the tested items. Detecting blood on various surfaces under different conditions could contribute valuable information to forensic investigations.

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Tracing the Clues: Exploring Dried Bloodstain Analysis on Multiple Objects in Varied Environment Conditions

et al. 2023

IJFMR

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“…The detection of human blood could be conducted with either the Takayama (Kerr and Mason, 1926) or Teichmann test (Miller, 1969) Although confirmatory testing is far more specific and sensitive than presumptive tests, with several validation studies performed on them (Hochmeister et al 1999;Johnston et al 2003;Hermon et al 2003;Schweers et al 2008 andTurrina et al 2008), there are still potential risks with using these tests, with some reporting's of cross reactivity and false positives in the literature (Koen et al 2017). The subsequent application of confirmatory tests is also time consuming, limiting the throughput time in the processing of the evidence.…”

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confidence: 99%

Refinement and validation of multi-source blood detection for operational use.

Kennedy¹

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The operational deployment of any technique in forensic casework must undergo thorough investigation of its capabilities and limitations. At Sheffield Hallam University for the past 14 years, the Francese Group have focused on developing the utilisation of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS) for forensic applications. Not only has this technique shown potential in several different areas (MALDI MS analysis of latent fingermarks, condom lubricants and drug detection in fingermarks and hair as some examples), also being deployed in casework, but in more recent years, the detection of blood also. The end users, namely police and forensic providers have shaped the programme of work on blood detection by letting priorities and needs drive the research. The validation studies conducted in this thesis offer evidence of robustness and versatility as well as further insights as to what circumstances MALDI MS would be most suited/needed for the investigation of blood at a sceneof a violent crime. Currently, crime scene investigators (CSI) and crime labs employ commercially available presumptive tests for the detection of blood when recovered from crime scenes. However, these tests are not specific and occasionally yield false positives. Furthermore, confirmatory testing is not routinely performed. The risk of a false positive result could potentially result in a wrongful conviction or dismissal in court and brings into question the validity of these tests when their findings are heavily relied on in judicial proceedings. The utilisation of MALDI MS Profiling (MSP) and MS Imaging (MSI) for the rapid and informative detection of blood in this thesis has shed light on the multiplex nature of this alternative approach. A great deal of the work presented has shown the capability to not only distinguish between human and animal blood, but to determine blood provenance down to the species level (Chapter 2). In terms of animal blood detection, even more intelligence has been gained within this strand of the project, highlighting that a distinction can be made between intravenous animal blood and traces of animal blood from packaged meat (Chapter 4). If animal blood was detected at a crime scene, being able to offer insight on the manner in how the blood was shed could offer considerable assistance in reconstructing the dynamics of the crime. The compatibility and robustness testing performed in this project, which has been demonstrated across several strands of the project (Chapters 2,3 and 5) has additionally shown that MALDI MS can be used in conjunction with several blood enhancement techniques (BET), deposition surfaces, in the co-presence of other biofluids, and in tandem with DNA typing post MALDI MSI analysis. This body of knowledge significantly contributes to further advance implementation of MALDI based approaches for the forensic analysis of blood in stains and fingermarks in an operational environment and to the further promotion of MALDI as a Category A technique in the Home Office Fingermark Visualisation Manual after its recent promotion to Category B.

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