Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

JANUARY 2010

Welcome to the January 2010 Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

Recovery of DNA from Latent Blood
after Identification by Fluorescein

Laurie A. Martin
Catherine F. Cahill

From the Journal of Forensic Identification
Vol. 54, No. 6, November/December 2004*

Abstract: Luminol has been widely used in the field of crime scene investigations to detect latent blood; however, luminol has the tendency to destroy DNA evidence. Fluorescein, an alternative to luminol for detecting latent blood at a crime scene, does not destroy DNA evidence. This paper demonstrates the successful recovery of DNA from a blood sample treated with fluorescein. DNA was extracted from blood-containing denim substrates after fluorescein was applied to the substrates. The DNA locus, D18S51, was amplified using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, analyzed by electrophoresis, and used to demonstrate that DNA was successfully recovered from the samples.

Introduction

Violent crimes often go unsolved because of the lack of evidence leading to a perpetrator. Therefore, any evidence found at the crime scene is vital to solving the crime. Violent crimes often leave latent evidence, such as DNA, at the crime scene. In the United States, 13 Short Tandem Repeats (STR) loci on DNA strands are employed by the FBI for typing all felons in the National DNA Databank (CODIS) and for analyzing biospecimens found at crime scenes. The 13 core STR loci are CSF1PO, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, FGA, THO1, TPOX, and VWA. According to the literature, it is possible to recover DNA, "typeable at all 13 core CODIS STR loci".

Luminol has been widely used in the field of crime scene investigations to detect latent blood. However, conflicting studies have shown that luminol, when applied to a latent blood sample, loses valuable DNA information, likely because of the repeated applications needed to maintain visualization. This is a major drawback to using luminol because any trace blood discovered through the use of luminol could be useless for DNA recovery.

Unlike luminol, fluorescein, a new alternative method for latent blood detection, has not been tested for its impacts on DNA recovery. The goal of this study was to determine whether DNA could be recovered from latent blood samples that have been treated with fluorescein. The approach used in this study was to treat denim substrates with blood, use fluorescein on the denim to identify the blood, and extract the blood from the denim using Chelex 100 Resin. After the blood was extracted, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was set up to amplify one of the 13 STR loci, D18S51. The D18S51 loci was chosen to provide a simple test of the feasibility of the procedure. Future analysis will include more than a single locus. Gel electrophoresis, using certified PCR agarose gels, was used to separate the DNA. This analysis showed that DNA could be recovered from the treated samples.

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*From the Journal of Forensic Identification Vol. 54, No. 6, November/December 2006.
The Official Publication of the International Association for Identification "Reproduction of the Journal of Forensic Identification, in whole or in part, for noncommercial, educational use is permitted provided proper citation of the source is noted."

In This Issue
New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

CSI In The News

Resources on the
Crime Scene Investigator Network Website

Learn How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator

New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

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Crime Scene Unit Supervisor | City of Mesa, Arizona
Final Filing Date: January 14, 2010
Salary: Not stated
A Crime Scene Unit Supervisor has direct supervision over a squad of Crime Scene Specialists and Senior Crime Scene Specialists involved in the examination and investigation of all types of crime scene and accident investigations in support of law enforcement activities. A Crime Scene Unit Supervisor works in the field monitoring subordinate's work, participating in the processing of crime scenes, and coordinating the investigation of crime scenes with sworn supervisors in the field and ensuring that tasks are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures, regulations and accreditation standards. An incumbent in this class also performs the following duties: reviewing technical reports, creating and maintaining work schedules, completing thorough documentation of subordinates' work performance as well as completing performance evaluations; and completing payroll and other administrative functions. An additional responsibility is training the Crime Scene Specialists and other department personnel in the forensic disciplines and functions of the Forensic Services Section. A Crime Scene Unit Supervisor may also be required to perform the duties of a Crime Scene Specialist <more>
<View complete job listing>

Forensic Specialist | City of Santa Monica, California
Final Filing Date: January 22, 2010
Salary: $5,380 - $6,642 per month
Performs technical fingerprint, photographic , video and computer graphic tasks related to criminal investigation; seeks, collects, records, and preserves physical evidence and identifies fingerprints associated with the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
<View complete job listing>

Criminalist Trainee - Firearms and Toolmark Examiner | Washoe County, Nevada Sheriff's Office
Final Filing Date: February 12, 2010
Salary: $46,758 to $60,860 per year
Under supervision, performs professional laboratory analysis of physical evidence in a general or specialized field of Criminalistics, such as Firearms and Toolmark examination; and performs related work as required. A Criminalist in this area performs examination of firearms and tools and performs comparative analysis on a variety of firearms and toolmark evidence. A Criminalist in this section is also expected to utilize a variety of databases in the analysis of evidence. Writes analytical reports and participates in technical review. Testifies in court as to findings on criminal casework. Provides training to investigators on firearms/toolmark related evidence collection.
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Evidence Control Technician | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Walnut Creek, CA
Final Filing Date: April 30, 2010
Salary: 36,310.00 - 82,303.00 per year
The incumbent serves as a specialist in planning, developing, implementing, organizing and maintaining the laboratory evidence control system. This work requires the knowledge of the regulations, policies, standards and practices regarding transportation, collection, preservation, storage and disposition of evidence, as well as basic understanding of the types of examinations that are carried out in a forensic laboratory.
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Firearm and Toolmark Examiner (Trainee, Forensic Scientist I, II or III) | Ventura County CA Sheriff's Dept
Final Filing Date: Continuous
Salary: $38,313.60 - $93,953.60 per year
Performs laboratory analysis of physical evidence in one or more of the specialty areas; obtains information and potential evidence from law enforcement personnel; develops own applications as well as utilizing standard procedures to perform analysis; prepares written case reports describing the evidence and results of observation and findings; forwards case report for review and verification by journey-level forensic scientist; prepares evidence for presentation in court proceedings; maintains case files and receipts to preserve the integrity of evidence and examinations performed; prepares visual aids for court presentations; testifies in court regarding examination results; maintains and repairs laboratory equipment, safety equipment, and analytical instruments; work is performed in a Forensic Sciences Lab or at the site of various criminal activity; duties may require incumbents to attend crime scenes after normal working hours and work in hazardous conditions.
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Crime Scene Analyst II | City of North Las Vegas, Nevada
Final Filing Date: Not Stated
Salary: $53,757-$77,678 per year
We are seeking an exceptional individual to respond to crime scenes and perform a variety of investigative tasks to document the crime including taking photographs, recovering evidence and processing latent, patent and visible fingerprints; and to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
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CSI In The News

<Permian Basin Forensic Center Close to Opening Their Doors>
The Permian Basin Forensics Center is getting closer to opening up for business in Odessa. They have also been interviewing potential employees and have already hired a Chief Pathologist and Office Manager.
NewsWest 9 - Odessa, TX - December 31, 2009

<GBI Crime Lab set to close in Columbus>
The economy is taking a toll on local crime-fighting efforts. Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren confirms to News Leader 9 that the GBI Crime Lab located in the city is now scheduled to close in the spring.
WTVM, Columbus GA - by Lindsey Connell - December 31, 2009

<Lake County task force gets 360 view of crime scene>
The device, manufactured by 3rdTech Inc., of Durham, N.C., takes up to 9 million measurements in a 360-degree panorama of an area in 12 minutes. Those measurements are fed into a computer, which creates a 3D model of the area, viewable from any angle and completely interactive for courtroom use.
Daily Herald, Chicago, IL - by Tony Gordon - December 28, 2009

<Sheriff's Office adds CSI-style technology>
The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office is greatly expanding its ability to fight crime thanks to a grant made possible by federal stimulus funds. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said the $12,000 grant from Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is being used to purchase advanced forensic equipment.
Daily World, LA - by William Johnson - December 25, 2009

<SANE nurses get forensic equipment >
Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) recently received forensic camera equipment, presented to CTMC,s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) on Dec. 17 at the Hays Caldwell Women's Center. The gift was made possible by Grande Communications employees, the Hays District Attorney's office, the San Marcos Police Department, the Hays County Sheriff's Office and Hays-Caldwell Women's Center staff, volunteers and board members.
San Marcos Local News, Texas - by Hap - December 22, 2009

<Virginia crime lab stretched as experts called to court>
Virginia's crime lab has fallen further behind in conducting drug and alcohol analyses as forensic examiners spend more time attending trials to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, officials say. Travel and overtime costs also are on the rise, and the two most obvious solutions--hire more scientists or establish a system allowing them to testify by videoconference--are cost-prohibitive at a time when the state is trying to close a $3.6 billion budget shortfall.
WTKR Your NewsChannel 3 - Norfolk, VA - by Larry O'Dell - December 23, 2009

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