Forensic Investigation of Blood Evidence

Forensic Investigation of Blood Evidence offers a comprehensive exploration of the scientific, investigative, and legal dimensions of blood as forensic evidence. From the moment blood is released at a crime scene, it becomes a critical biological marker—capable of revealing not only the presence of injury but also the identity of those involved. This book guides the reader through every stage of forensic blood analysis: from presumptive and confirmatory testing to species identification, blood grouping, DNA profiling, and bloodstain pattern interpretation. Emphasizing both foundational principles and cutting-edge techniques, it bridges traditional methodologies with innovations such as microbiome analysis and the application of artificial intelligence in forensic examination.

Structured into four well-defined modules, the book delves into the biological and forensic underpinnings of blood, outlines conventional and advanced analytical strategies, and contextualizes real-world applications through crime scene reconstruction and case studies. Written in clear, accessible language, it serves as a vital resource for students, researchers, forensic practitioners, investigators, and legal professionals. Whether one seeks to understand the science behind blood evidence or its impact in courtroom proceedings, this book provides a vital and engaging reference grounded in both scientific rigor and practical insight.

Hirak Ranjan Dash is Associate Professor of Forensic Biology and Biotechnology at Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, affiliated to the National Forensic Sciences University, India. Before joining academia, he worked as a Forensic DNA expert at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Madhya Pradesh, India. He has examined more than 1000 cases by DNA fingerprinting techniques. His research interests include DNA fingerprinting, microbial forensics, microbiome analysis, next-generation sequencing, and mtDNA analysis. He has published more than 60 research papers in various peer-reviewed journals. He has written 14 books in various fields of Biotechnology. He is a life member of International Society of Forensic Genetics, Association of Microbiologists of India, and the Asian Federation of Biotechnology. He served as reviewer for PLOS One, Annals of Human Biology, Scientific Reports, and several other journals. He is the premier scientist from India on NGS-based forensic DNA analysis. He is featured in the list of world’s top 2% scientists during 2021–2024.

Noora Rashid Al-Snan is a distinguished forensic DNA analyst with over 18 years of experience in criminal investigations. She joined the Ministry of Interior in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2008, where she currently serves as the Head of the Biology & DNA Forensic Laboratory at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science. She holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine with a specialization in medical genetics, awarded by the Arabian Gulf University in collaboration with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her doctoral research focused on DNA typing of the Bahraini population. She also earned a master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology, specializing in genetic engineering and recombinant proteins, from AGU, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Kuwait University. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in the resolution of numerous high-profile cases involving terrorism, robbery, and homicide. Her expertise and leadership were internationally recognized when she and her team received the DNA Hit of the Year award at the HIDS Conference in 2023 for their work on the Bahrain bomb cases, presented by Gordon Thomas Honeywell. An active contributor to the forensic science community, she frequently represents MOI as a speaker and delegate at international conferences and workshops. She is the corresponding author of multiple peer-reviewed publications and has authored works with leading academic publishers. Her research interests include innovative methods for DNA recovery from complex substrates such as RDX-C4 explosives, teeth, bones, and maggots, as well as advancements in forensic DNA intelligence and the implications of consanguinity in familial DNA searching. She is deeply committed to advancing human resource development, continuous education, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into forensic workflows, alongside ongoing research and development in forensic science.

Safia Abdessalem Messaoudi is a Tunisian Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She earned her PhD in Biotechnology and Biological sciences from the University of Monastir, Tunisia, in 2013. Her research career began in medical genetics, focusing on molecular diagnostic markers for cardiovascular diseases. In 2015, she transitioned to the field of forensic science at NAUSS, where she now specializes in advancing forensic DNA analysis. She teaches cytogenetics, biostatistics, and bioinformatics, and supervises master's theses on diverse topics including forensic applications of Next-Generation Sequencing, X-STR analysis in Saudi populations, mitochondrial DNA, and the role of circulating DNA in criminal justice and oncology. Her research is dedicated to improving the performance and productivity of DNA testing. Her forward-looking program aims to develop forensic DNA databases, statistical software, and advanced methods for analyzing challenging samples. A key focus is validating NGS technologies to recover reliable genetic information from degraded and ancient DNA. Complementing her scientific work, she is a certified expert in academic quality assurance, with experience developing institutional standards and managing accreditation processes. She has also served as an expert with the UN-NAUSS Regional Expertise Center for Combating Drugs and Crime.