Practical Case of Conical Collectors in Blood Stain Extraction

This article shares practical cases of conical collectors in blood stain extraction, demonstrating their efficacy in forensic crime scene and lab blood evidence processing.

Practical Case Details

  • Crime Scene Scenario: A homicide case with dried blood stains on a textured wooden floor—traditional swabs struggled with uneven surface contact.
  • Collector Application: Conical collectors (narrow tip + graduated base) were used to target stain edges; 100μL of extraction buffer was dispensed, and the conical tip guided liquid to saturate the stain without runoff.
  • Outcome: Extracted DNA yield was 30% higher than swabs; the collector’s base prevented buffer spillage, avoiding cross-contamination of adjacent areas.

Key Advantages in Cases

  • Targeted Extraction: Narrow conical tip reaches crevices in textured surfaces (wood, fabric, metal).
  • Controlled Buffer Use: Graduated base ensures precise buffer volume, reducing waste and runoff.
  • Higher Yield: Optimized liquid-stain contact improves DNA recovery from dried/aged blood.

Application Scope

  • Forensic Crime Scenes: Dried blood on uneven/textured surfaces (floors, weapons, clothing).
  • Lab Analysis: Post-scene processing of blood-stained evidence for DNA profiling.
  • Cold Cases: Extraction from old, degraded blood stains where yield is critical.