(Protocols) Protocol and Procedures for Hair, Scat, Bone, Blood/Tissue

(Courtesy of the Mid-America Bigfoot Research Center as part of their extensive listing of protocols.)

MABRC is concerned in providing scientific data that will assist in proving the existence of a North American bipedal creature that is reported to inhabit rural and remote areas of the North American continent.

In having said that, the MABRC guide will provide guidance to members on how to collect various types of biological specimens that the researcher may encounter while in the field. Such specimens may include blood, hair, latent prints, and foot or handprint castings.

The primary concern in collecting samples will be to AVOID cross contamination of the sample when it is collected. Researchers will take all possible precautions to prevent cross contamination, prior to attempting to collect the sample.

This will include the use of powder free specimen gloves, (i.e. latex or Nitrile gloves), sterilized tweezers or forceps (as needed), some sort of hair net or ball cap to prevent human hair from falling into the specimen, and a garment which covers the arms if they are exposed.

The researcher should take either video or still photos of the sample before collection. Included in the photo should be some sort of scale (ruler, coin etc.) however ensure it does not contaminate the sample. Make a note in your research journal of the sample, and annotate a tag number that will be used for the specimen label, the specimen collection report, and your expedition log.

BLOOD SAMPLES

The most common example of a blood sample that the researcher will come across will be the splashing of blood against the ground, or other similar biological material. If the researcher believes that the blood observed could well be a sample from a Sasquatch, the following procedure is to be used:

1. The researcher will observe all cross contamination procedures.
2. The researcher will either use a Q-Tip, or piece of filter paper (CLEAN paper coffee filter will work) and lightly dab the blood specimen.
3. If using a Q-Tip, ensure that the entire tip is covered, but not soaked, so as to result in a dripping of blood from the tip. If using filter paper, place the edge of the filter paper against the sample, and allow it to absorb into the paper. A sample roughly the size of a quarter is needed.
4. Once the specimen has been collected, allow it to air dry completely, and avoid any contact with the ground, or the researcher. DO NOT blow on the sample to aid in drying.
5. Once the specimen has completely dried, place it into a paper envelope, which is then placed into a specimen envelope.
6. Label the outside of the specimen envelope with a computer label that contains the tag number of the specimen.
7. Fill out the specimen collection report now; do not wait till later.

Should the researcher run into a blood sample that has dried and is believed to be that of a Sasquatch, the following procedure will be used.

1. The researcher will follow all preventive cross contamination procedures and photographic documentation.
2. If the object is small enough to fit into specimen collection envelope, then it should be left intact, ensuring the sample is completely dry, place it into the envelope.
3. The envelope should then be labeled and provided a tag number.
4. The specimen collection report should then be filled out, to include the tag number, and appropriate entry into the researcher's journal.

If the sample is to large to place into a collection envelope, then after following all cross contamination and photographic procedures, the research should use a sterilized blade (knife, scalpel, etc.) and lightly scrape the sample onto a piece of clean filter paper. The researcher should attempt to collect as much of the sample as practical without jeopardizing the integrity of the sample. The researcher should then gently fold the filter paper, so that the specimen is contained inside the filter paper, such as a pouch. This specimen should then be placed into a collection envelope, then into the specimen envelope with appropriate, labeling, tagging, reporting, and journal entry.

HAIR SAMPLES

Hair samples are collected similarly to blood samples. The researcher should follow all photographic documentation and cross contamination procedures prior to collecting the sample.

Hair samples can be expected to be found in places such as tree breaks or twists, barbed wire fences, and possibly automobiles if the researcher is investigating a report of a vehicular strike against a Sasquatch.

In all of these possible collection locations, patience will be the watch word for the researcher. Evidence and reports have shown that it is extremely difficult to obtain DNA from a hair fiber, though it may be used for hair comparison against known hair types. DNA, or mDNA is most readily available in the hair follicle or skin tag at the base of hair, therefore, the researcher needs to act delicately in order to attempt to collect follicle with the hair strand if it exists.

In hair that is observed on barbed wire fences, a pair of heavy pliers can be the researchers best friend, as long hair as a tendency to wrapped between and around the barbs. The researcher should follow the following steps if hair is wrapped around barbed wire.

1. Again, the researcher should use photographic documentation and cross contamination procedures.
2. The researcher should then disinfect the head and jaws of the pliers, and the collection tweezers, or forceps.
3. If the hair will not slip from the fencing when gently pulled, the researcher can use the pliers to loosen the barbs.
4. The researcher should grasp the two opposing barbs and gently squeeze, which will cause the barb to open on the fence. The researcher may need to do the same on the second barb.
5. The researcher should then be able to gently remove the hair. Again, diligence and delicacy are required to maximize success.
6. The hair should then be placed in a collection envelope.
7. The collection envelop should then be placed in a specimen envelope, tagged, report completed, and a journal entry made.

The same procedure should be followed if attempting to remove a hair follicle from a tree break or twist, however, due to the fibrous content of forest material, and the hair follicle cannot be removed from the tree, the researcher should give consideration to cutting the area of the hair, leaving it embedded in the tree. The sample hair should be left in place, and the tree should be cut down to the smallest possible collection in order to simplify it's collection in specimen envelopes, or bags.

The if the researcher is examining a vehicle which has been reported to have struck a vehicle, the collection procedure is much like that of barbed fence or tree twist collection, however the researcher needs to also pay particular attention to the presence of blood samples as well. The researcher should also observe the undercarriage of the vehicle for additional samples.

When collecting any type of sample, whether blood or hair, only one specimen shall be collected and recorded per tag number. For instance, the researcher comes upon five drops of blood that are fresh; this would be 5 separate specimens collected, five separate tag numbers, five separate specimen envelopes. This ensure no cross contamination between samples. The only exception to this would be if the researcher happened upon a tuft of hair, or multiple strands. As that all of this strands have already been touching, they should be collected as ONE specimen, and documented as such.

BONE/TEETH SAMPLES

If the researcher is to happen across a bone, or tooth of a suspected Sasquatch, it is imperative that the research follow all the documentation, photographic, and cross contamination procedures.

Collection of such sample will more than likely be tedious do to the amount of work that will be required for search the area, removal, and collection of the specimen.

If such a sample is found, the researcher will follow the following procedures:

1. STOP!
2. Look down at your feet and ensure that you are not standing on another sample. This sample could very well be hair, tissue, blood, bone, or many other things.
3. If you are sure you are not standing on anything, take photographs and video of the item, as well as the surrounding area. Do not approach the sample at this point. It is necessary that you thoroughly document the area around the sample.
4. Attempt to contact the Regional Director for your area if at all possible.
5. If you cannot contact anyone, the researcher's first step will be to set up a grid system covering the discovery site. If you do not have twine, rope, or other items, sticks will serve as to set up a makeshift grid. The grid should look something similar to a checkerboard square if viewed from above.
6. The researcher should start in the outer most grid quadrants, first observing, then slowly moving overgrowth, or ground debris for the presence of other samples. If a sample is observed, it should slowly be removed. If it is caked in mud, dirt, or similar material, the sample should be collected with this intact. It is best to allow the sample to dry before collection, however if the weather is not practical for this, collect it as is and bag it in paper. The sample should be tagged with the quadrant number and tag number. The specimen collection report should be filled out, and journal entry should be made. It is important that your journal, and the collection report both have a sketch of the over all grid, and the quadrant in which it was found.
7. The research should continue working towards the primary sample found, working from the outside of the quadrant inwards. All subsequent finds should follow this protocol.
8. If an item is partially buried, care and dedication must be used is removing it. DO NOT pull on the sample, twist, or otherwise manipulate while still in the ground.
9. The researcher will carefully dig around the sample using small tools, and ensuring damage is not done to the sample. (Picture yourself as an archaeologist)
10. Immediately notify your Regional Coordinator if you have not already done so.

ALL SPECIMENS SHOULD BE RECORDED WITH GPS COORDINATES IF PRACTICAL