Thesis
The Development of Outsole Impressions in Blood on Dark, Challenging Porous Surfaces and the Effects of Sequencing
Masters by Research, Murdoch University
2025
Abstract
Blood can be a valuable form of evidence as it can contribute to crime scene reconstruction, such as Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) and is a good source of DNA (1, 2). Blood contains various components such as proteins, iron in haemoglobin and amino acids, which can be targeted by chemical reagents to locate, visualise and enhance blood impressions. Several optical, physical and chemical methods exist to enhance outsole impressions in blood. However, visualising blood on dark, patterned or multi-coloured porous surfaces can be challenging due to poor contrast and absorption, limiting the effectiveness of many methods. Most chemical reagents produce a dark colour, making detection on these substrates difficult. Fluorescent and chemiluminescent reagents offer potential solutions, but their applications present specific challenges. Luminol is a chemiluminescent peroxidase reagent that is highly effective for detecting blood in complete darkness, but its rapid reaction makes it difficult to capture in a photograph (1). Hemascein is a commercial, fluorescein-based formulation created by Abacus Diagnostics in the USA (3). This study explores sequencing methods for enhancing outsole impressions in blood on challenging surfaces. Non-destructive optical techniques such as white light and violet light at a 415 nm wavelength will be employed to search for blood, along with luminol and Hemascein as more destructive methods. Luminol will also be applied to each impression five days after sequencing has been completed to evaluate its effectiveness. Leuco Crystal Violet (LCV) will be included in the sequences, along with alginate which will be used to lift the outsole impressions in blood to assess their effectiveness. A specific process will be followed for each impression, as outlined in Figure 6.
Details
- Title
- The Development of Outsole Impressions in Blood on Dark, Challenging Porous Surfaces and the Effects of Sequencing
- Authors/Creators
- Samantha A Mathews
- Contributors
- Renee Jelly (Supervisor)John Coumbaros (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Research
- Identifiers
- 991005787483607891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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