Blood Is Best Witness Value In Crimes Of Passion

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 46, 3 December 1938, Page 4

Blood Is Best Witness Value In Crimes Of Passion

WHILE investigating a crime of passion, detectives surprised the suspected murderess while she was washing her linen. Questioned as to what she was cleaning, she rudely muttered that it was “her own business.” When she put on her coat in order to accompany the detectives, one of them pointed to some dark red-brown stains on her sleeve and remarked, “Why don’t you remove these, too . . .” The marks on the coat were blood stains; a fact which eventually led to the suspect being convicted. Such incidents are an old story now. Bloodstains are by no means rigid proof as to the guilt of a murderer. The latest scientific discoveries are used in the legal proceedings. The supposed bloodstains are carefully tested in three different ways. First, to see whether they are really blood or merely rust stains, much the same in colour; second, whether in the event of being bloood the stains are of human or of Animal blood; and third, if human, to

which blood group they belong.

To discover blood marks on furniture, clothes or utensils in cases of murder or assault is the frequent but difficult task of detectives.

Often the use of the microscope only will reveal them. Fresh bloodstains are red, but under the influence of light and weather they change to dark brownish shades or even to a greenish brown, so that they can easily be mistaken for rust, paint or any other dirt mark. It is extremely difficult to prove that a stain is blood once it has been washed out or exposed to sunshine, heat or decay for some time. Stains that are not recognisable by close examination in bright- sunlight or under electric light can be more readily examined if the suspected spots . are moistened with a 3 per cent.; solution of peroxide. Small foamy gas bubbles are formed when the peroxide : comes in contact with the blood. If bloodstains are thus discovered, they are further tested under the microscope

and spectroscope. Chemical reagents are' also used to define the exact composition and blood group.

One of the most important physiological discoveries is the fact that there are six different blood groups under which all human being fall. The divisions are made according to the ability of the serum or blood plasma of one group being able to coagulate the red corpuscles of another group. This incompatibility between the blood of different individuals is caused by the different composition of the plasma and the corpuscles, respectively. It is thus possible to find out from the bloodstains whose blood has been shdd. Bloodstains on the clothes of a person connected with a murder case automatically made him a suspect. Scientific examination reveals clearly whether the bloodstains are those of the victim or not. If the examined stains belong to the same blood group as the Suspect’s, no definite proof is possible. If, however, they belong to the victim’s blood group, it is clearly established that the suspect and the victim were in some connection, the details of which must be investigated according to the usual proceedings.

Beast in Man. Every day the newspapers tell of ghastly crimes, of the beast in man inciting him to raise a hand against father or mother, wife or child, friend or • enemy. . The deed done, the murderer, naturally tries to rid himself of all traces of guilt. But blood is the best witness! The criminal does not know about corpuscles and blood crystals, does not realise, the mysterious qualities of serum, is not aware that science has found means whereby his guilt can be proved in the face of the most baffling facts. To find out whether a stain is that of human blood, the blood extract is mixed with a human “anti-serum” and observed through the microscope against a dark .background. In the case of human blood the mixture forms a kind of sediment, clearly visible through strong lenses. The fundamental discovery that certain human blood alters the constituency of other human blood has resulted in the study of blood groups and experimentation. . , . , . , , . There are six distinguishable blood . groups: 0, Al, A2, B, AIB, A2B. 1 One of the practical significances of • this discovery lies in the fact that the . specific qualities of blood follow certain . known laws, and do net change during the course of life.

Group Theory. Since Mendel’s Law of Heredity is known, the blood group theory is most important in defining parentage in legal cases. This definition is a mere chemical experiment. For instance, the known serum of group A or B is added to the blood corpuscles which are to be tested. Again, the serum of the blood to be tested is added to the corpuscles of A and B. Similar reactions reveal the only possible ] combination. The discovery of the human blood groups has also abolished the danger of blood transfusions. Before the different groups were established, death occurred frequently as a 1 result of a blood transfusion. If the transfused blood was “hostile ’ to the patient’s blood, circulation was impeded • and death resulted. To-day it is known to a fraction which groups coagulate and which do not, and J transfusions are thereby rendered abso- • lutely safe. Hospitals keep lists of donors of all groups, on their files. Once the J blood group of a patient is defined, a •

donor of a corresponding group is chosen for the transfusion. ■ i Crime and Vigour.

It is of great interest to observe in how far intellect, physical appearance, talents or social sense are confined to certain blood groups. Group A is supposed to be frequent among intellectual people. Criminals often belong to group B, which is also the group of many athletes! The different blood groups are differently divided among the various human races.' To take one country, Germany, where blood analysis has of late played such an important part, the figures for the different blood groups are averaged as follows: . t . 0 group 43 per cent A group .. .. .. 40 per cent. ; B group 12 per. cent A and B groups .. 5 per cent. The knowledge about blood groups is also useful in investigation into heredity. It is interesting to note that tire blood group itself is not hereditary, but only the ability of the red blood corpuscles to coagulate. This is inherited—according to the Mendelian Laws. i

New Nail Lacquers. Gloveless hands display some attractive new shades in nail lacquers as a finish to their grooming. “Russet” is a deep rust red varnish that shows to advantage on sun-browned hands. A dusty coral tone, “Newport,” and a poppyred shade called “Nassau” are two more additions to the wonderfully wide colour range your manicurist can . offer you.

Kitchen Knives. A set of kitchen kni'/es is one of the most useful presents you can give a cook —especially if you give them complete in a box ith a slotted wooden rack to hang on the wall and so take each knife so that anyone is ready to hand the moment it is wanted. Long Lasting Flowers. Gladioli are some of the longest lasting flowers for vases. Remove the lower buds when they wither and the top buds will come into blossom. Remember not to mix geraniums with other flowers in vases. Geraniums kill other flowers. If you have not a garden and you buy your flowers you may like to know how to make them last as long as possible. Before you put them in the vasps, cut the stalks slantwise at the ends and hold them under water while you do it Latest in Stockings. Silk stockings of burnt golden ‘tones

grace the majority of smart feminine legs at present, but there are signs that black stockings are no longer to be left onlv for those who wear uniform. Sheer silk black hose is, as a matter of fagt, the most flattering wear for any legs and deserve to be revived. The mode is invading Mayfair. Black stockings are being worn with a black chiffon frock. They are also being worn with flowered summer tires~es. Brighter Doors. # Stately homes, as well as the quaint little flat, the country cottage and the seaside bungalow, are adopting the brighter door fashion. Yellow picked out with black, red, green 'and even a bright blue are chosen for doors that give a cheerful splash of colour to the front of the house. They save work, too, for instead of polished brass fittings, the gaily coloured door looks smart with metal fittings painted black. If you do not want’s so much colour in. evidence, black front doors with knockers and letter-boxes painted in bright green or red are nermissjble according to moder* ideas. $$ . 4 - - -- -