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International Journal of Legal Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 4/2018

01-07-2018 | Original Article

Detection of blood and DNA traces after thermal exposure

Authors: A. Klein, O. Krebs, A. Gehl, J. Morgner, L. Reeger, C. Augustin, C. Edler

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

The analysis of blood traces is often of significant reconstructive and evidence-gathering importance. Perpetrators deliberately set fires to destroy evidence. There is little literature regarding the effect of fire and extreme heat on blood and the detection of blood. Blood and DNA are believed to be no longer traceable after exposure to a temperature of 1000 °C. This study exposed different objects of a standardized procedure to temperatures of 300, 700, and 1000 °C. It documented the influence of heat on blood traces through the use of luminol. DNA analysis confirmed that fewer DNA profiles can be created with increasing temperature. However, even after exposure up to a max. of 1000 °C, it was still possible to produce a complete DNA pattern from approx. 60% of the samples. Consequently, crime scenes that have been destroyed by fire should be evaluated with the same attention to detail as the unburned areas.
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Metadata
Title
Detection of blood and DNA traces after thermal exposure
Authors
A. Klein
O. Krebs
A. Gehl
J. Morgner
L. Reeger
C. Augustin
C. Edler
Publication date
01-07-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1712-5

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