While working on an unrelated story Sunday at the L.A. Regional Crime Lab, located on the CSULA campus, I got a glimpse of an interesting, cutting-edge development in crime scene investigation. As Forensic Science Professor Donald Johnson explained, scientists at the lab are developing a technique which allows them to glean additional evidence from crime scene blood stains.

In short, the technique analyzes blood samples to detect tiny, invisible-to-the-naked-eye traces of organ tissue that let the investigator know what type of wound made the stain. For example, if the process detects traces of brain cells in a blood stain, it can be concluded the stain was created by an injury to the head. Traces of lung or heart tissue detected in the blood would indicate a chest wound.

This never-before-available information may one day become valuable evidence in court.