Some new approaches to the individualization of fresh and dried bloodstains.

The individualization of human beings by biochemical "fingerprinting" is yet a goal of the future. However, recent progress in methods and instruments permits the forensic analyst to use the available techniques for partial individualization. For practical purposes, it is sufficient to demonstrate the capability of discriminating one human blood among a thousand others. The combination of some of the methods described makes such a discrimination possible. It is critical that both instruments and methods be standard so that two or more laboratories may obtain the identical results from analyses of the same questioned specimen. Only then can such evidence be presented with a high degree of reliability in medicolegal cases. The objective of the studies described is to develop an immunohematological and biochemical analysis for individual blood samples from human beings to resolve and define phenotypic components of the blood to the maximum extent in the smallest volume. The result of this work is expected to permit the objective characterization of individuals in terms of their own unique genetic constitution; it will permit comparison of individuals as to degrees of similarity or dissimilarity of their genetically determined blood protein composition.