Citation

Tuller H, Saunders R. J. Forensic Sci. 2012; 57(4): 873-879.

Affiliation

Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester Avenue, JBPHH, HI 96853. Louisiana Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02070.x

PMID

22390381

Abstract

  This study examines the survivability of human blood proteins in soils from a year and a half old ambush scene in Kosovo. A total of 72 soil samples were collected, a number of which were directly associated with bone fragments or bullet projectiles. The samples were examined using crossover immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) to determine the presence of blood protein and species affiliation. Human blood proteins were identified in 44 of the 72 samples (61%) with the majority of the positive observations (29 of 44) found 0.0-4.5 cm below ground surface (65%). Chi-squared and two-sample difference of proportions tests confirmed significant differences between samples with and without associated physical evidence and the presence and depth of human blood proteins. While DNA has largely replaced immunological analysis in forensic analyses, our results suggest that in particular situations, CIEP may still be a valuable tool in criminology.

Language: en