Panjab University devises method for estimation of age of bloodstain

Chandigarh, September 23

Dr Vishal Sharma of Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology, Panjab University (PU), has developed a rapid and non-destructive approach to identify human or non-human bloodstains. He has also devised a model for the age estimation of such bloodstains.

“This will help investigating agencies in such crimes where blood samples are found. Its detailed investigation is necessary to ascertain the origin of bloodstains (whether originated from animal or human beings), the modus operandi of the suspect and estimation of the approximate period of crime incidence,” said Dr Sharma.

“The chemical profiling of bloodstains is essential to link suspect with the crime and his research will give an insight to such problems.

I along with my research team, Kajal Sharma and Dr Raj Kumar, are working on this problem in the department for nearly last two years,” Dr Sharma added.

“This research has also got a place in Science and Justice journal of Elsevier. The current study proposed a proof-of-concept methodology for the investigation of bloodstains by utilising infrared spectroscopy and statistical methods. Curve estimation, multiple linear regression and partial least squares regressions are developed to determine the best prediction model for aged human bloodstains,” said Dr Sharma.

“The results on dating of bloodstains are encouraging and also tested for unknown samples. The maximum dating errors observed in these models are of 3 ± 1 days and 4±1 days in actual and estimated date, respectively, which is the lowest ever reported so far,” Dr Sharma added. — TNS