Abstract
BackgroundAmong the physical evidence, bloodstain is one of the most common biological pieces of evidence at the crime scene, especially in violent crimes. Bloodstains are frequently seen at the crime scene and can be easily detected due to their color and structure. Because blood and bloodstains can potentially be evidence of a crime, offenders often tend to clean or wash them to get rid of relevant evidence. Some researchers think that washed bloodstains cannot obtain enough quality DNA for DNA profiling. However, some studies have shown that bloodstains on a piece of fabric can be used for DNA profiling even after washing. This study, it is aimed to determine whether a sufficient amount of DNA can be obtained for DNA profiling used for forensic purposes from blood-stained nylon and cotton fabrics washed at different temperatures such as 40 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C.ResultsIn this study, bloodstains were created on cotton and nylon fabrics in a representative crime scene. After washing with laundry detergent at 40 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C was performed, studies were conducted in order to make bloodstains visible and obtain DNA for genetic profiling. The result is that more DNA is lost due to easy exposure to external factors in the non-absorbent nylon fabric type compared to the absorbent cotton fabric. Moreover, the rates of obtaining DNA from bloodstains on different types of fabrics washed at several temperatures are shown in this study.ConclusionsIt was determined that while a sufficient amount of DNA for the forensic genetic profiling can be obtained from cotton and nylon fabrics washed at 40 and 60 °C, a sufficient amount could not be obtained from the ones washed at 90 °C. And that shows even if bloodstained fabrics are washed at 60 °C, the fabrics still can be considered as physical evidence of the crime and can be associated with the scene, perpetrator and victim triangle.
Highlights
Among the physical evidence, bloodstain is one of the most common biological pieces of evidence at the crime scene, especially in violent crimes
Isolation kit group: 3 different fabrics for 40, 60 and 90 degrees were applied on both cotton and nylon fabric, 6 fabric samples in total; second type of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolation kit group: 3 different fabrics for 40, 60 and 90 degrees both cotton and nylon applied on the fabric, 6 fabric samples in total.) Since 12 pieces of blood-stained fabric were obtained from each donor, a total of 120 samples were studied for 10 donors (Table 1)
In crime scenes that include violence such as murder, theft and sexual assault, bloodstains can often be found on clothes and fabrics washed at high temperatures in order to conceal the crime, and it is thought that DNA profiling cannot be retrieved
Summary
Bloodstain is one of the most common biological pieces of evidence at the crime scene, especially in violent crimes. By the help of developing technology, DNA profiles which allow individualization serve as a significant evidence to investigate criminal cases. Due to this reason, analyses of biological materials which are obtained from the crime scene are extremely important and it is possible to carry these analyses to better points (Bond and Hammond 2008; Kamphausen et al 2015; Unsal et al 2011). Since the crime scene investigation generally covers violent crimes, the most common biological material is blood and bloodstains (Andrews and Coquoz 1994; Stojanović 2019; Mushtaq et al 2015; Bucka et al 2011).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
