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The purpose of the study is to investigate the Efficacy
of Benzidine Test in the Identification of Blood Stains Found on Different
Fabrics after Washing for Consecutive Days and also to study the impact of
benzidine on natural and Man-made Fibres washed with and without detergent in
connection with other parameters in the study. The research design employed is
experimental and explorative .The findings of the study revealed that benzidine
is found effective in determining the blood stains from washed fabrics and
there is an impact of detergent washing among natural and Man-made Fibres. The
study also provides information on how many days blood stains could be detected
from the samples and their variations when washed with and without detergent.
The study also helps the investigating officer in finding out the fact that a
particular fibre or fabric is used in crime commission or not.
Keywords: Blood
stained fabrics, Detergents, Benzidine, Consecutive washing
NEED FOR THE STUDY
The study has been
conducted to give more number of literatures on the topic and If the
investigating officer gets any washed fabric to the scene of crime, in order to
test the efficacy of benzidine on washed fabric helps the investigator to
decide whether the particular fabric was used in the crime or not.
Research question
Is benzidine
effective in finding out blood stains from washed fabrics?
Methodology
·
Study is
experimental and explorative.
·
The study
comprised 1000 samples including all factors.
·
The study was
to check the effectiveness of benzidine on washed fabrics and their varied
effects when different factors like type of fabric , mode of washing, type of
detergent and also the temperature is concerned.
Findings and significance
The findings of the
study showed that benzidine as presumptive test is advisable in case of washed
fabrics and the effect of reagent such as the extend of coloration and the time
of reaction is marked by different factors like the type of fabric used, the
detergent type and also consecutive washed do affect the reaction.
From the study it is possible to understand that stains could be detected
even after washing for consecutive days and also it helps in finding out the
differences in reaction when types of fabrics and mode of washing is concerned.
BACKGROUND
Forensic
serology
The branch of forensic science dealing with the identification and
examination of body fluids.
Benzidine
test
Preliminary test for blood stain identification. Other examinations, like
UV examination and other serological examinations like blood grouping and
species identification.
Fibre
The smallest unit of fabric and important physical evidence at the scene
of crime and the classification include natural
Detergents
Detergents are alkyl benzene sulfonates that
shows cleansing properties in dilute solutions.
REVIEW
The main three reviews that helped my study:
“Enhancement of bloodstains on Washed Clothes
Using Luminol Reagent and LCV reagent” by Adair and Shaw in 2005.
Firiyal et al. conducted a study on the
“Detection of Dry Blood Stains on Different Fabrics after Washing with
Commercially Available Detergents” in 2015.
Oldfield et al. conducted a study on the
“Efficacy of Luminol in Detecting Blood Stains that have been Washed with
Sodium per Carbonate and Exposed to Environmental Conditions” in 2018.
AIM
To know the efficacy of Benzidine on different
types of dried blood stained fabrics by repeatedly washing with and without
detergent for consecutive days.
OBJECTIVES
·
To know the
efficacy of Benzidine on different dried blood stained fabrics.
·
To know the
impact of Benzidine on blood stained fabrics on consecutive days.
·
To find out
the impact of Benzidine on dried and wet samples in consecutive days.
·
To
differentiate the impact of Benzidine in blood stained fabrics with and without
detergent.
·
To determine
the sensitivity of Benzidine test on natural and manmade fabrics.
·
To determine
the number of days where the blood stains could be detected from specific
fabrics.
RESEARCH DESIGN
An experimental
and explorative research design was employed (Flowchart 1).
Pilot study
1. The
effect of detergents on blood stained fabrics and other substances using benzidine
reagent.
2. Efficacy
of benzidine on blood stained fabrics after washing at regular intervals of
time.
Samping technique
The method
through which the samples (fabrics both natural and man-made) have been
categorized and this gives the total number of samples.
Total number of
sample for 25 days was 1000.
Materials required
·
Blood (Goat)
·
Fabrics in
natural Fibres (cotton, silk, wool, khadi, jute) and manmade fibres (spun,
nylon, synthetic, polyester, chiffon)
·
Commercially
available detergent (Ariel)
·
Benzidine
·
Glacial acetic
acid
·
Hydrogen
peroxide
·
UV light
·
Microscope
·
Beakers
·
Droppers
·
Scissors
·
Measuring tape
·
Different
coloured plastic mugs
·
A plastic rope
·
Paper clips
·
A4 sheets and
colour charts
·
Writing
materials
Procedure
Sample preparation:
·
Types of fabrics
of natural and manmade origin were cut in the dimension 15 × 20 and was soaked
in blood and dried for a period of 24 h.
Preparation of benzidine reagent:
·
10%benzidine
in glacial acetic acid
·
Hydrogen
peroxide-3% solution
Conduction
·
After 24 h the
clothes were hand washed using a table spoon of detergent and without using
detergent for a period of 3 min.
·
After washing
immediately a small portion (3 cm) of the fabrics has been cut and was tested
using the Benzidine reagent (wet samples).
·
Later, the
samples were dried at room temperature on a plastic rope and after 24 h the
samples from each piece of fabric has been cut and tested (dry samples) using
the Benzidine reagent.
·
The samples
were then washed again and the procedure was continued for consecutive days and
the results like the coloration, reaction time and the temperature has been
noted.
Figure 1 is showing the
method of conduction that is the fabrics (both natural and manmade) were cut
and marked as washed with and without detergent along with the control samples
(unwashed).
The Figures 1 and 2 shows:
·
For the fibres
listed above microscopic examination and UV examination has been done as the
stains were not visible on the fabric as a result of consecutive washing. The
fabrics polyester and nylon were giving florescence under the UV light and there
were no changes found under microscopic examination. Both the examinations were
done with the control samples and unstained fabrics for comparison purpose.
LIMITATIONS
·
Time
constraint
·
Less number of
samples were used
·
Liquid blood
has been used
·
The study was
limited to a few type of fabrics
·
Washing
variations were not considered
·
Only one type
of detergent was used
·
Time consuming
·
The sampled
fabric was not sufficient to continue the study
·
Benzidine test
is not a confirmatory test for blood
MAJOR FINDINGS
·
Benzidine
reagent was found effective in determining blood stains on both natural and
manmade fibres.
·
There was a
noticeable impact of consecutive washing on blood stained fabrics.
·
As the fabrics
were washed daily the rate of the reaction and the color was found different.
·
There was no
noticeable impact of benzidine on wet and dry samples as the reaction showed
same extend of coloration within the same time.
·
There was a
noticeable impact of benzidine on the blood stained fabrics washed with and
without detergent because fabrics washed using detergents showed reaction for
less number of days as compared to the fabrics washed with water.
·
The
sensitivity of benzidine was different for natural and manmade fabrics.
·
Natural
fabrics for example cotton and khadi showed positive results for more number of
days even after washing with detergent as compared to other natural fabrics.
·
Manmade
fabrics are less absorbents and they discharge the stains faster than natural
fiber on consecutive washes. Thus natural fibres are more sensitive compared to
manmade fibres.
SUGGESTIONS
·
The study
could use different fabrics other than those used in the study like other
natural fibers and man-made fibres.
·
The extend of
washing for example the time taken for washing could be increased.
·
The mode of
washing of the fabrics like for example using brush or the use of machines
could be employed.
·
The difference
in properties of fibre could be verified using other sophisticated instruments.
·
Reaction on
different surfaces could be studied.
·
Different
climatic conditions and also different drying times could suggest.
·
Different
types of detergents could be employed for the study to know the reaction of the
reagent towards different detergents as the composition of detergents is
different.
·
Other reagents
like luminol, LMG or hemastix strips could be employed as the presumptive
tests.
CONCLUSION
From the study it could be made possible to identify the blood stains from the suspect’s clothes even after washing it repeatedly for a number of days or though the case is registered after a long time since the crime has been committed. And there are differences in reaction with respect to the composition of the fibres. To be more conclusive serological examinations like blood grouping and origin determination can also be done to make the report more strong and evident. Thus the study gives information on the above areas of practice.
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