Crime scene DNA identifier

• US 20040133126A1
• Filed: 08/30/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James H. Mcnenny
• Original Assignee: James H. Mcnenny
• Inventors: McNenny, James H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,163,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/573
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150404 Specific design of proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150572 Pierceable protectors, e.g. shields, caps, sleeves or films, e.g. for hygienic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150923 by means for destroying components or parts, e.g. by cutting or piercing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15125 comprising a vacuum or compressed fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15144 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for retracting the piercing unit into the housing

Abstract

This disclosure describes a device for obtaining a blood sample from an intruder at a crime scene to be later analyzed for DNA. A projectile containing a blood-extracting needle for penetrating the skin of said intruder is mounted through a protective chamber and connected to a blood reservoir in the chamber interior. A vacuum is held in both the reservoir and the chamber. The chamber vacuum is released by forward movement of the chamber as it slides within a casing following further penetration of the needle. The vacuum release acts to reduce the ambient pressure within the forward portion of the casing, thus assisting in propelling the needle into the intruder. As the needle reaches maximum extension, a loaded spring within the casing is released, propelling the needle and reservoir away from the intruder

Claims

1. Apparatus for obtrusively obtaining a blood sample from an intruder at a crime scene to be later analyzed for DNA, said apparatus comprising:

a blood-extracting needle for penetrating the skin of said intruder;

a blood-collecting reservoir connected to said needle;

means for propelling said needle and the connected said reservoir into contact with an intruder;

means responsive to said contact for inserting said needle into said intruder; and

means responsive to a maximum penetration of said needle into said intruder for extracting said needle and for ejecting said needle and associated reservoir a substantial distance from said intruder.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

A first chamber;

Means for mounting said needle on said first chamber;

Means for mounting said reservoir in said first chamber; and

Means for holding an initial vacuum in said first chamber.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

A cylindrical casing having a cylindrical interior;

Said first chamber being slidably mounted in said cylindrical interior;

A facing at a first end of said casing and having a center hole for receiving said needle;

A coil spring positioned adjacent to the interior side of said facing; and

Retaining means for securing said coil spring in a normally loaded mode.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, further comprising:

An extension collar attached to said facing for receiving said needle;

Said collar comprising an elongate rearward-extending rod;

Said means for holding an initial vacuum in said first chamber comprising

an entrance to the interior of said first chamber facing said rod;

and a plug inserted in said first chamber entrance;

said rod punching out said plug as said first chamber travels toward said rod following said contact with said intruder thereby releasing said vacuum and reducing pressure in the space occupied by said spring and said collar.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:

An extension disposed on the exterior of said first chamber

Said extension being in alignment with said coil spring retaining means;

Whereby forward movement of said first chamber shears said retaining means thereby releasing said spring and ejecting said first chamber said reservoir and said needle from said and said casing.