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Identification of Vaginal Secretions and Menstrual Blood

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Fundamentals of Forensic Biology

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Abstract

Vaginal stains and menstrual stains are two types of bodily fluid stains that can be important in forensic science investigations. Vaginal stains refer to bodily fluids left on clothing, bedding, or other surfaces as a result of sexual activity, while menstrual stains refer to bloodstains left on surfaces during menstruation. Identifying these stains is significant in forensic science because they can provide critical evidence in sexual assault investigations. The presence of these stains can also help identify a suspect by linking their DNA to the stain. Methods for identifying vaginal and menstrual stains may include visual inspection, alternate light sources, chemical or DNA analysis. The identification of vaginal and menstrual stains is a critical part of forensic investigation in sexual assault cases, and can provide important evidence to support the prosecution of perpetrators and help ensure justice for victims.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Arjun Rao Isukapatla & Mehar Chadha

  2. Forensic Science Education Society, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

    Nisha Kaushik & Sunanda Dhenge

Authors
  1. Arjun Rao Isukapatla
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  2. Mehar Chadha
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  3. Nisha Kaushik
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  4. Sunanda Dhenge
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arjun Rao Isukapatla .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of DNA and Forensic Biology, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Avinash Puri

  2. Department of DNA, Forensic Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Nithyanandam Mahalakshmi

  3. Department of Forensic Science, National Forensic Science University Delhi Campus (LNJNNICFS), New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Tanya Chauhan

  4. Department of Biology, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Alka Mishra

  5. Department of DNA, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Preeti Bhatnagar

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Isukapatla, A.R., Chadha, M., Kaushik, N., Dhenge, S. (2024). Identification of Vaginal Secretions and Menstrual Blood. In: Puri, A., Mahalakshmi, N., Chauhan, T., Mishra, A., Bhatnagar, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Forensic Biology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3161-3_9

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