80 THE PRECIPITIN TEST FOR BLOOD. 



The stains numbered 4 to 10 were each three weeks old at 

 the time of testing. Out of several stains on the garments sub- 

 mitted for examination some were proved to be paint, and only 

 the six included in the table {vis., those marked A to F) were 

 found by microscopic examination and the usual hsemin test to 

 be blood; after this had been ascertained they were further tested 

 by the precipitin test and found, as above stated, to be human 

 blood. 



It was at the East London Circuit Court in October, 1904, 

 before Mr. Justice Kotze, Judge President of the Eastern Dis- 

 tricts Court, that the above test for differentiating human from 

 other mammalian blood was admitted for the first time in 

 South Africa as authoritative. Unfortunately, the character of 

 the stains was not of importance to the defence, and there was 

 consequently no cross examination upon the point. 



Very soon after this during the same year, I appeared in 

 my official capacity as witness for the Crown in the case of Rex 

 vs. Brichetti, an Italian stonemason tried on the charge of rape 

 and murder before Mr. Justice Sheil, at the Butterworth Circuit 

 Court. On application of the precipitin test, several human 

 blood stains were discovered on the shirt and trousers of the 

 accused. He explained these by saying that his finger had 

 bled, etc. 



In January, 1906, very clear conclusions were arrived at in 

 testing certain exhibits in a murder case at Port Eliza- 

 beth.* A policeman had been murdered in a Kaffir location 

 while in the execution of his duty, and a jacket, muffler, felt hat, 

 belt, overcoat and two pairs of trousers, belonging to three of 

 the Kaffirs arrested in connection with the crime, were submitted 

 for examination. In all, thirty-two stains were found on the 

 various articles of clothing, and it may serve a useful purpose 

 to record here too that ten of the stains proved to be grease, 

 rust, paint, etc., and twenty-two were ascertained to be blood 

 stains ; also that by means of the precipitin test twelve human 

 blood stains were found on the jacket, hat, belt, one pair of 

 trousers and overcoat. 



The human blood stain found inside the crown of the felt 

 hat was explained by the owner, one of the accused, that in 

 expectorating from a bleeding tooth he spat by accident into his 

 hat, which was lying at the time inverted on the floor of his room 



The other accused, on whose trousers several human blood 

 stains were found, stated that, in assisting an organ builder or 

 tuner, he cut his finger in handling the metal pipes of the organ. 



The third accused endeavoured to explain the blood stains 

 on his jacket by saying that they had been derived from his 

 connection with the butchering trade, and that in conveying 

 the carcases of meat from the cart to the shop his jacket acquired, 



* See Senior Analyst's Report (G. 53, 1907), page .30. 



