Year/Section/Group No.

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Names: _______________________________, ____________________________________

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ACTIVITY No. 2

GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN COLLECTION, PACKING, PRESERVATION

AND IDENTIFICATION OF BLOOD AND BLOODSTAINED EVIDENCES

I. Objective: To learn the proper procedure/techniques in collecting, packing, preserving and

identifying blood and bloodstained evidences.

II. Materials: Liquid blood, bloodstain or large surfaces, bloodstain on clothing and fabrics,
bloodstain on hard object as hammer, knives bole and bloodstain on smooth/glaze object like
tiles, mirrors and others.

III. Discussion

Physical evidences like blood and bloodstain, semen and seminal stain, hair, textile fiber,
soil, latent fingerprints are so fragile in nature that a slight act of carelessness in handling can
destroy the possibility of obtaining from them any information which would further the
investigation. It is necessary that the evidence presented in court be in condition similar to that in
which it was left at that time of offense. In order that these physical objects be admitted into
evidence, it is necessary to show that such object are in practically the same condition without
substantial change. Hence evidence should be protected from accidental or intentional change
during the period extending from its first discovery after the commission of the offense to its
ultimate disposition at the conclusion of the investigation.

A few simple rules can guide the investigator in the protection of evidence from its initial
discovery at the scene of the crime until its final appearance in court. A violation of these rules
may lead to partial loss of the value of the evidence and, in some instances, to the loss of the
case. It is therefore very important that the investigator to be able to recognize and gather
valuable physical evidence supplemented by knowledge of correct procedure/techniques in
caring for evidence.

IV. Procedure and Observation

A. Liquid Blood- Before collection make careful notes describing the exact location and
condition of any blood or bloodstain you find. Note down the general color and condition of
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bloodstain. If the stain has bright red color, it is fresh, as the bloodstain become older; the red
color is change to a dark brown color.

1. A . Collect the blood sample by picking up with a clean medicine dropper and place in a
test tube containing sodium fluoride.
B. Cover the test tube with stopper and seal.
C. Label the test tube bearing the initials or name of the investigator and date of
collection and sealing. Label maybe in the form of paper pasted on the container or tag tied to the
object.
2. A. In the absence of sodium fluoride put the blood in microscope slide or soak them with
piece of blotting paper of filter paper and let them dry carefully without heat.
B. Place the dried stain in a pillbox or white mailing envelop and seal by inscribing thereon
the case information.

Questions:
1. Is the blood fresh or old blood? Explain.

2. What is the purpose of adding sodium flouride to the liquid blood sample?

3. Why is the liquid blood sample not allowed to dry by heat?

B. Bloodstains on Large Solid Surfaces

1. Place a clean sheet of paper below the surface bearing the stain.
2. With the use of razor blade or clean knife, loose and scrape the dried material into the paper.
Crust should be removed without breaking if possible.
3. Shake the powdered stain to the center of the paper and then fold. Scrapings removed from the
different areas of the walls and floor should be separately placed on a paper and labelled as to the
location where found.
4. Seal thoroughly the folded paper with cellophane tape and individually placed inside a white
mailing envelope sealed with masking tape and affix of the initials of the investigator, date and
other information.

Question:
1. Why are bloodstains found in different areas of the floor and wall packed individually?

B. Bloodstain on Clothing and Fabrics

1. Encircle with chalk or any marking materials stained found on the clothing. If clothing is wet
let dry completely at room temperature in secure, well-ventilated room. Do not place to direct
sunlight or heat.
2. Place identifying marks directly on the cloth as far away from stained areas as possible.
3. If buttons are present, attach a string tag bearing information regarding the case.
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4. Wrap and pack separately the clothing in a close paper container such as paper bag.
5. Place the bag containing the item in the coldest, driest facility possible until it is sent to the
laboratory.

Question:

1. Why are blood stained clothing allowed to dry completely before packing?

D. Bloodstains on Smooth/Glazed Surface (like tiles and body of cars)

1. Moist a cotton ball and gently swab on the surface where the bloodstain is found.
2. Dry the cotton thoroughly at room temperature and place the swabbing separately in a white
mailing envelop.
3. Seal the envelope with masking tape by placing across the flap label by inscribing thereon the
location where the stain was found, initial of the investigator and date and time the sample was
collected.

Question:

1. Why is cotton moistened with saline solution and not with alcohol or acetone?

E. Bloodstains on Hard Objects (like stone, hammer, knife etc.)

1. Place identifying marks directly on the recovered object as far away from stained areas as
possible. Provide a label or string tag bearing the following information:
a. case number
b. date and time of finding the specimen
c. name and description of the specimen
d. location and time of recovery
e. signature of investigator
f. name of witness to the discovery
2. Dry room temperature wet objects. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or heat.
3. After drying wrap the object in closed container and proceed as in number one.

Question:

1. If alleged bloodstain is found on movable object like hammer and knife who is ideal to collect
the stain? Why?

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