- Stranger in blood
Stranger in blood is a term used to describe a person who is not a blood relation of another. It is therefore the opposite of
next of kin . Most commonly, it is used to describe a beneficiary to a will.Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9] The term is used legally in America, Britain andIndia amongst other countries.Notable instances
Suspected serial killer
John Bodkin Adams was identified as a 'stranger in blood' in the wills of 132 of his patients.imilar terms in other languages
The
Hebrew word 'zar' is used in theBible to describe a non-member of a tribe (see: Book of Numbers 16:40 and 1:51, orDeuteronomy 25:5). [ [http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Stranger%20And%20Sojourner%20(In%20The%20Old%20Testament) NETBible: Stranger And Sojourner (In The Old Testament) ] ]Heraldry
In heraldry, being a stranger in blood - through
adoption for example - is indicated via a 'canton voided'. [http://www.dun.org.uk/STIRLING/armsdata.html]References
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