[Identity checks of preserved blood samples].

We report about the investigation of stored blood samples carried out at the Institute for Legal Medicine in Greifswald between 3. 10. 1990 and 3. 10. 1994. In 12 of the 13 checks carried out (92.3%) the blood alcohol and the control sample were found to be identical, in both the serological test and the DNA analysis. In one of the cases the accused could be excluded by means of 5 different systems. Merely 2 of the 13 orders came from our catchment area (East-Mecklenburg and Vorpommern). In 11 cases the checks were carried out on behalf of courts in the country of Brandenburg. Despite the low number of expert opinions, the stored blood sample is thought to be an indispensible piece of evidence.