Body-Fluids

In case of False-Implications the prosecution come up with a theory that there were Body-Fluids on the Spot of Occurrence. And these Body-Fluids can be related to the accused.

Therefore, Body-Fluids signatures found from the Spot of Occurrence become critically important. In true cases, the Body-Fluids found on the Spot of Occurrence can be ascribed to the accused but in case of False-Implications the Investigating-Agency and the Prosecution forcibly try to show that these Body-Fluids belong to the accuse while in fact they do not.

In India the Courts are not so perfect in their approach. They can be easily swayed by the influential Prosecutors, investigating Police officers and the media pressure. We have done and we will do analysis of such cases where the Courts have clear pressure on their working.

The main Body-Fluids which are found on the Spot of Occurrence in cases of False-Implications are the blood, semen and saliva. After detection of the Body-Fluids from Spot of Occurrence there are two regular steps to be taken. These steps are

To determine the name and nature of the Body Fluid, as to which Body Fluid it is. This part is in Serological Examination of the Body Fluid.
To develop DNA Fingerprinting from the Body Fluid so recovered from the Spot of Occurrence. This part is under the DNA Analysis.

For all the Serological Examinations there are two kinds of tests given to a Body Fluid. The first test is a Presumptive Test thereby getting a clue which Body Fluid can be there in the stain at Spot of Occurrence.

After the Presumptive Test to get a confirmed result a Confirmatory Test is also conducted. This is invariably done for all the Body-Fluids.

Blood

Presumptive Test

Phenolphthalein Test or Kastle Meyer Test

A Phenolphthalein solution is used to show the possible presence of blood based upon a peroxidase reaction of haemoglobin which produces a pink colour.

Luminol Test

A chemical compound, known as Luminol, is used in solution or sprayed onto suspected surfaces. This compound gives a strong blue fluorescence when viewed with a UV light.

The Luminol reacts with hematin, a substance formed as bloodstains age, and produces a luminescence which is best observed in the dark. The luminescence lasts for several minutes and can be photographed.

Confirmatory Test

Takayama Test

Through the application of a specific solution developed by Takayama, hemo-chromogen crystals form by treating a small amount of blood or a stain fragment. The crystals are observable under a microscope and look like salmon-pink rhomboid crystals.

RSID Test for Human Blood

This test uses two specialized antibodies to detect the presence of human Glycophorin A which is found in red blood cell membranes. The antibodies are applied to the suspected sample by using a strip test assay. At the end of the test, certain markings will indicate whether human blood was detected or if the test failed.

ABAcard HemaTrace test strips

HemaTrace test strips are used to detect blood by indentifying the presence of human hemoglobin. The test strip contains an antihuman hemoglobin antibody. A blood sample is applied to the bottom of the test strip. If human hemoglobin is present, then a mobile antibody-antigen complex will be formed.

Semen

Presumptive Test

Acid Phosphatase Test/ the Walker Test / Brentamine Blue test

The male prostate gland produces and secrets into semen a high amount of the enzyme Acid Phosphatase (AP). In the presence of Alpha-Naphthyl acid phosphate and Brentamine Fast Blue, AP will produce a dark purple colour in less than a minute.

Prostate Specific Antigen

Test detects Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is produced in high amounts by male prostate gland.

Confirmatory Test

Christmas Tree Stain

Two main reagents are used consecutively to produce this distinctive stain: Picroindigocarmine stains the neck and tail portions of the sperm in green and blue, while the Nuclear Fast Red (AKA Kernechtrot) gives the sperm heads a red colour and the tip of the heads a pink colour.

RSID Test for Semen

Identifies the presence of the seminal vesicle-specific antigen, or Semonogelin. This antigen is unique to human semen; therefore, there is no cross reactivity with other bodily fluids in males and females or with semen from other mammals. This test can also identify semen even if the stain was stored in less favourable conditions.

Saliva

Presumptive Test

Phadebas Test

A chemical reagent called Phadebas is used to detect the enzymatic activity of the alpha-amylase enzyme, which is found in saliva.

This enzyme is found in other organisms as well. Alpha-amylases from bacteria, fungi, or chimps are very similar in structure and function to that of the human alpha-amylase. Also, in humans, there are four variants of alpha-amylase, two of which are found in saliva, and the other two are secreted by the pancreas.

Confirmatory Test

Phadebas Test and RSID Test for Human Saliva

The RSID Test for Human Saliva detects the alpha-amylase molecule itself, and specifically, the alpha-amylase from human saliva (in comparison to the testing for enzymatic activity as seen in the Phadebas test). Performing both of these tests is considered a confirmatory test.