U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Analysts

Blood

Home  |  Glossary  |  Resources  |  Help  |  Contact Us  |  Course Map
 

Reporting Guidelines - Blood

Test

Reporting

Positive Kastle-Meyer (KM) or Hemastix® (or other preliminary color test(s))*

  • Blood was indicated on ___.
  • Analysis of ___ gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood.

Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Positive Takayama (Hemochromogen)1

  • Blood was identified on ____.

Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Positive Takayama (Hemochromogen)
AND
Species testing (human antiserum) or ABAcard HemaTrace® Test

  • Blood was identified on ____, and human antigen (or hemoglobin) activity was detected.
  • Analysis of ___ gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood. Analysis of __ indicates the presence of human proteins.

Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Positive Takayama (Hemochromogen)
AND
Negative Species testing (human antiserum)

or ABAcard HemaTrace® Test

  • Blood was identified on ___, however no human antigen (or hemoglobin) activity was detected.
  • Analysis of ___ gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood. Analysis of __ failed to indicate the presence of human proteins.

Positive KM or Hemastix®
AND
Negative Takayama (Hemochromogen)

  • Preliminary tests indicated blood on ________, but further tests could not confirm the identity of blood.

Negative Visual

  • No stains consistent with blood were observes on ___.

Negative KM or Hemastix®

  • No blood was detected on ___.
  • Analysis of ___ failed to give presumptive chemical indications for the presence of blood.

*There are numerous preliminary color tests that can be used in forensic testing methods. The most common are noted; however, other preliminary color tests could be reported similarly.

[1] Learn more about the Takayama test in the course Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts.

(You may need to reenter your username and password) 

Back Forward