Simpson Blood Vial

Collection of demonstrative exhibits used by counsel and witnesses to illustrate volume estimation difficulty and compare vial sizes: People's 221-A (vacutainer with 3.8 mL colored water), People's 221-B (vacutainer with 2 mL colored water), a cranberry-juice-filled vacutainer (Defense 1135) demonstrating vacuum draw capacity of approximately 7.5–8 mL, a monoject vial for size comparison (Defense 1124), and a water-filled purple-top mono-jet tube used by Neufeld in a live courtroom demonstration. Also includes photographs associated with these comparison items (Deft's 1124, Deft's 1125).

Two photographs of Simpson's reference blood vial alongside the microcentrifuge tube, taken during a defense laboratory visit in January 1995. Introduced during Matheson's testimony and passed to the jury; showed blood smeared on the purple-topped cap of the reference vial.

Photograph of the front face of the gray analyzed evidence envelope used for Simpson's reference blood, showing Nurse Thano Peratis's signature on the affidavit section and an erroneous date of May 19, 1994 (approximately one month before the actual June 13, 1994 blood draw). Used across both criminal and civil proceedings to challenge chain-of-custody documentation.

Defense chart tracking blood volume removed from OJ Simpson's reference vial across multiple dates, comparing Peratis's estimated draw of approximately 8cc against documented withdrawals by Yamauchi and Matheson, with approximately 1.5–1.8cc characterized by the defense as unaccounted for. Displayed on an easel and challenged by prosecution as inaccurate; prosecution added approximation symbols and a new entry during cross-examination.

Photograph of the reverse side of the gray analyzed evidence envelope, bearing Dennis Fung's handwritten notation recording receipt of the blood vial from Detective Vannatter on June 13, 1994 at 1720 hours. Shown to Mazzola to establish what she observed on June 14.

Reference blood sample (vial) drawn from O.J. Simpson. Central to defense claims about missing blood and planting allegations. Purple-top EDTA vacutainer drawn by Nurse Thano Peratis at Parker Center on June 13, 1994, estimated at approximately 8cc; carried unsealed by Detective Vannatter to Rockingham and delivered to criminalist Dennis Fung at 5:20 PM; initially logged as item 18 before correction to item 17, with approximately 1.5–2cc unaccounted for in subsequent volume audits.

Gray analyzed evidence envelope used to contain OJ Simpson's reference blood vial, received from Detective Vannatter bearing a handwritten time notation. Marked with item number 17 (in red in later documentation); bore a 'Refrigerate' instruction; transported from Rockingham in a black plastic trash bag by Andrea Mazzola. A blank sample of this envelope type (Defendants' 2251) was introduced in civil proceedings to display sealing instructions.

Series of three LAPD analyzed evidence envelopes used as demonstrative exhibits, including the gray envelope type used to hold Simpson's reference blood vial. Introduced to show the printed sealing instructions on the envelope, the clasp mechanism, and the physical configuration of the container. Referenced by multiple witnesses including Fung, Mazzola, Yamauchi, and Ragle.

Photograph showing two purple-topped EDTA blood collection tubes — one containing blood from OJ Simpson and one from Nicole Simpson collected at autopsy. Introduced during EDTA testing testimony by Dr. Fredric Rieders and FBI agent Roger Martz, with the tubes identified as the likely source of EDTA preservative in contested evidence samples.

Photograph of Simpson's reference vial showing initials 'L.M.F.' (Lisa Flaherty, toxicology) and a number inscribed on the vial. Challenged on foundation and discovery grounds; admission was sustained as improper. The exhibit was referenced alongside photographs Defense 1136-A and 1136-B.

Two photographs of item 59, Nicole Brown Simpson's reference blood vial, showing blood visible on the exterior of the vial. Introduced during Matheson's testimony in the criminal trial.

Two photographs of item 60, Ronald Goldman's reference blood vial, showing blood visible on the exterior of the vial. Introduced during Matheson's testimony in the criminal trial.

Physical test tube of the same size and configuration as the blood vial Fung received from Vannatter, introduced by the defense during Fung's and Mazzola's cross-examination in the criminal trial. Used to establish the visual appearance of the vial for jury reference; also introduced as a standard blood reference sample vial for size and shape comparison with Mazzola.

Black plastic trash bag used by criminalist Andrea Mazzola to carry the gray evidence envelope containing OJ Simpson's reference blood vial out of the Rockingham residence. Its use was challenged during testimony as improper handling of a fragile, perishable item; Mazzola is captured carrying it in videotaped footage of the departure from Rockingham.

Ten-cc calibrated syringe of the same type used by Nurse Thano Peratis to draw blood from OJ Simpson on June 13, 1994. Introduced in civil proceedings as a demonstrative to show the draw technique and explain why exact volume measurement was uncertain due to bevel orientation and calibration visibility. A physical syringe was also subject to a stipulation between counsel in criminal proceedings.

Handwritten list prepared by Mazzola (and referenced alongside Fung's own numbering) showing item 17 as tennis shoes and item 18 as Simpson's reference blood, later renumbered. Introduced in civil proceedings as a key document establishing the original evidence numbering sequence and the discrepancy between Fung's and Yamauchi's records.

Document shown to Mazzola during cross-examination to refresh her recollection about prior statements she made to investigators regarding whether she ever handled OJ Simpson's blood sample. Mazzola stated it did not refresh her memory.

EDTA purple-top vacutainer tube — the preservative tube type into which Simpson's blood was transferred after being drawn. Introduced in civil proceedings during Peratis's testimony and demonstrated to the jury to show how blood was transferred immediately from the syringe into the tube.

LAPD sealed evidence sticker affixed to the blood vial envelope, showing a date and time notation partially covered by the seal. Introduced during Fung's cross-examination to examine the envelope's sealing timeline.

Chart comparing LCESMSMS (liquid chromatography electrospray mass spectrometry) positive ion signals from a purple-top tube blood sample (producing a large signal) versus an evidence blood sample (producing a trace signal), identified as sample K206/Q206. Displayed and explained by witness Terry Lee in civil proceedings.

Gary Matheson's handwritten record documenting all initials and dates inscribed on Simpson's reference blood vial and its envelope, used to establish the chain of custody and accounting for the vial's contents over time. Marked and introduced over foundation objection.

Andrea Mazzola's crime-scene checklist from June 13–14, 1994, showing the sequence in which evidence items were logged, including the reference blood entered as item 18 after tennis shoes (item 17) delivered on June 14. Used in civil proceedings to establish that the reference blood was logged retroactively and out of sequence.

Photograph of Simpson's reference blood vial showing blood visibly present on the purple stopper. Introduced in civil proceedings during Matheson's testimony; defense raised the absence of any pre-June-14 photograph to confirm the vial's original state.

Photograph of Simpson's reference blood vial (item 17) standing upright with a finger on top, introduced to show blood clinging to the interior walls above the settled volume level. Used during Matheson's testimony to address unmeasured blood adhering to the interior surfaces of the vial.

Photograph of a microcentrifuge tube standing upright, introduced during Matheson's testimony alongside People's 229 as part of the blood volume accounting discussion for Simpson's reference vial.

Printout from the front of a blood vial envelope showing collection and sealing instructions, introduced in civil proceedings during Yamauchi's testimony to challenge whether Simpson's reference vial should have been sealed before delivery.

Memo authored by Siglar noting that both EDTA typing blood vials were refrigerated prior to release to Detective Vannatter. Introduced in civil proceedings as part of chain-of-custody documentation.

Serology item description notes reflecting Collin Yamauchi's withdrawal of three-quarters of a milliliter from Simpson's reference blood vial on June 25, 1994 for ABO typing and electrophoresis. Introduced during Yamauchi's testimony to establish how much blood was removed and on what date.

Purple-cap glass reference blood vials drawn from Nicole Brown Simpson (Coroner case no. 94-05136) and Ronald Goldman (Coroner case no. 94-05135) during their autopsies. Received by Detective Vannatter and delivered to Collin Yamauchi at LAPD SID on June 15, 1994; subsequently transferred to Dennis Fung.

Fitzco blood reference card prepared by Colin Yamauchi on June 14, 1994 from approximately 1cc of Simpson's reference blood tube. Sampled last in the DNA extraction sequence, after coin envelopes and the Rockingham glove. Used as a high-DNA-content exemplar; its proximity to evidentiary samples on the same workspace was challenged as a potential contamination source.

Toxicology document bearing initials consistent with Lisa Flaherty showing 5.5 milliliters of blood remaining in Simpson's reference vial as of June 20, 1994. Used to refresh witness memory and establish blood volume accounting during Matheson's testimony; initially objected to as hearsay, then admitted as a business record.

Yamauchi's handwritten laboratory records documenting the approximately 0.75 mL withdrawn from Simpson's reference vial on June 25, 1994 for ABO typing and electrophoresis, with a note regarding a microcentrifuge tube. Used to refresh witness memory and establish blood accounting during Matheson's testimony.