The Use of Forensic Tests to Distinguish Blowfly Artifacts from Human Blood,Semen, and Saliva |
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| Authors: | Annalisa Durdle Ph.D. R. John Mitchell Ph.D. Roland A.H. van Oorschot Ph.D. |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Genetics, School of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia;2. Biology Division, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Macleod, Melbourne, Vic., Australia |
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| Abstract: | This study investigated whether routinely used forensic tests can distinguish 3‐day‐old or 2‐week‐old fly artifacts, produced after feeding on human blood, semen, or saliva, from the biological fluid. Hemastix®, Hemident?, and Hemascein? were unable to distinguish blood from artifacts. Hemastix® returned false positives from negative controls. ABAcard® Hematrace® and Hexagon OBTI could distinguish blood from 3‐day‐old artifacts, but not 2‐week‐old artifacts. Phadebas® and SALIgAE® were unable to distinguish saliva from artifacts. RSID?‐Saliva was able to distinguish saliva from 3‐day‐old artifacts, but not 2‐week‐old artifacts. Semen tests Seminal Acid Phosphatase, RSID?‐Semen, and ABAcard® p30 were all able to distinguish semen from 3‐day‐old artifacts, but not 2‐week‐old artifacts. The tests investigated cannot be relied upon to distinguish artifacts from biological fluids. However, if an artifact is identified by its morphology, a positive result may indicate which biological fluid the fly consumed, and this knowledge may prove useful for investigators searching for DNA. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic entomology fly artifacts crime scene investigation bloodstain pattern analysis
DNA
Lucilia cuprina
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