AFTE Store - A Validation Study of Blood Elimination Solutions and Gunshot Residue

A validation study was conducted in order to implement the methods discussed in the AFTE Journal articles. A Method for Improving the Griess and Sodium Rhodizonate Tests for GSR Patterns on Bloody Garments by Lucien C. Haag (1991) and (Gunshot Residue Testing of Blood Stained Garments by Ed Hueske (1994), which describe the use of Haemo-Sol+ and other solutions to eliminate blood from bloodstained gunshot residue patterns [3,4]. All of the solutions Haag tested, except for (The Eliminator+, were evaluated on their ability to remove blood from gunshot residue patterns without altering the pattern significantly. Each pattern was placed in an elimination (blood dissolving) solution and then subjected to the Modified Griess Test and the Sodium Rhodizonate Test. The results of these tests were used as a baseline for inclusion in our laboratory+s methods manual and were not intended to be used as an all-inclusive study of every potential factor that may come into play when doing an actual casework examination. It is still up to the discretion of the examiner as to what type of solution is used and the length of time necessary to achieve the optimum results.

Full Journal: AFTE Journal Vol 43 No 1 (2011)