A medical scientist who specializes in blood serum analysis is known as a serologist. He is frequently linked to forensic investigations relating to criminal investigations, but he could also be useful in medical diagnostic procedures. His job may require him to accompany law enforcement officers to crime scenes and spend a significant amount of time participating in laboratory testing procedures.
Serologists are frequently employed by crime labs and military branches, in addition to law enforcement agencies and medical organizations. Other scientific professionals are frequently called upon to perform this task. Medical examiners, biologists, forensic technicians, toxicologists, and criminalists are common examples.
Serum is a clear bodily fluid produced by serous membranes that contains no clotting agents. It is commonly analyzed along with other clear bodily fluids produced by serous membranes. Some serological tests are routinely performed on saliva and sperm, both of which have a vague resemblance to blood serum. Semen testing is often useful in identifying rapists, and a victim of a violent crime may have traces of saliva on his body that can be used for analysis.
A clinical serologist will examine the substance to determine its type, whether it is Rh positive or negative, and whether any antibodies or antigens are present. If he finds specific antibodies, it usually means he’s looking for a specific disease. Antibodies that are abnormally high in the blood can indicate that a person’s autoimmune system is malfunctioning.
If the serologist works in the field of forensics, the focus of his analysis is usually different. He is frequently tasked with extracting DNA from blood in order to identify a crime victim or perpetrator. The blood is sometimes tested to see if it came from a human or an animal. At criminal trials, his expert testimony on these issues is frequently requested.
A forensic serologist is often an expert in blood spatter analysis in addition to testing crime and accident scene blood. Specialists in this field can tell police investigators about the attacker’s height, the direction from which the assault originated, and the distance between the attacker and the victim. Through blood analysis, a serologist can usually determine the victim’s time of death.
A bachelor’s degree in science is required for most serologist jobs, but exceptions are sometimes made for those with extensive experience in related fields. A bachelor’s degree in the arts is sometimes accepted if it is accompanied by a master’s degree. Many colleges and universities offer forensic serology degree programs that combine laboratory and classroom instruction. While still pursuing their formal education, some applicants who demonstrate exceptional abilities or have relevant work experience are hired.