Forensic Biology

Scene of crime examinations, blood, protein, fibres, hair and biological analyses. EUROFINS FORENSIC SERVICES Forensics biology experience is second to none.

Forensic biology used to be restricted almost exclusively to offences against the person such as homicide, sex crimes and other assaults.

However, the power of modern DNA profiling for identifying people who have had the briefest of contacts with objects and surfaces means that it can now be relevant to almost any type of case. For more information on DNA techniques available, please refer to the DNA section.

The biology discipline is primarily concerned with:

• Blood and other body fluids (such as semen and saliva)
• Hairs, nails, skin flakes
• Dandruff and other body substances

and with the DNA profiling analyses associated with the above:

• The interpretation of bloodstain patterns (BPA)
• Textile fibres (from clothing)
• Damage, for example to clothing

Our scientists routinely conduct scene-of-crime examinations where, for example, they ensure that all blood has been found using chemical enhancement techniques, if necessary interpret bloodstain patterns, assist crime-scene investigators in selecting the most useful stains for DNA analysis; suggest additional or alternative lines of scientific enquiry; and generally gain a better understanding of the case context so that they can interpret their findings more effectively.

This work is followed up by focused laboratory examinations and analyses. The broad training and high levels of proficiency of our staff help to ensure that no evidence is missed, even when it falls outside the sphere anticipated.

EUROFINS FORENSIC SERVICES training extends beyond scientists to crime-scene investigators through practical workshops and seminars, including our popular outdoor-scenes workshops, and awareness training on blood patterns, DNA and other forms of evidence for when body fluids are not relevant to the matters at issue.

For instance, EUROFINS FORENSIC SERVICES has been pioneering one-to-one taping techniques that enables textile fibres and other tiny evidential particles to be mapped on surfaces. These can provide powerful information not just about the contact between items or surfaces but also about how the contact occurred.

EUROFINS FORENSIC SERVICES also has close links with Alecto Forensics to offer a comprehensive range of specialist forensic services and expertise to Police Forces. These include (but are not limited to):

• Ecology (pollen grains, diatoms, plant debris)
• Anthropology (& bone identification service)
• Archaeology
• Entomology
• Stable Isotope/C-14 analysis
• Soil science
• UAV Scene reconstruction/aerial search

For a full range of services offered please see their website:

http://www.alectoforensics.com/