Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Anthropology

Major Professor

William M. Bass

Committee Members

Richard L. Jantz, P. S. Wiley

Abstract

While blood is frequently present at the scene of a violent crime, little is known of its ability to survive in an outdoor environment. Most studies have been conducted in a laboratory, which is free of precipitation, severe temperature fluctuations and other environmental factors. It is the intent of this thesis to examine the cumulative effects of environmental conditions on blood deterioration and blood detection.

Three units of whole human blood were distributed on six different surfaces commonly found in an outdoor forensic situation. Three catalytic tests and one confirmatory test were used to determine the length of time blood was detectable on each surface. Gross physical changes in blood appearance were noted.

It was found that blood which is completely dry prior to the first rainfall is often long-lived even when only slightly protected from the elements. Differing lengths of time in which blood was detectable is attributed to surface texture, length and amount of rainfall, inclination of the surface and protection from the elements.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS