diff --git a/code/modules/detectivework/forensics.dm b/code/modules/detectivework/forensics.dm
index d7c5272d4f2..8b49cd3a92d 100644
--- a/code/modules/detectivework/forensics.dm
+++ b/code/modules/detectivework/forensics.dm
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ atom/var/list/suit_fibers
 atom/proc/add_fibers(mob/living/carbon/human/M)
 	if(M.gloves && istype(M.gloves,/obj/item/clothing/gloves))
 		var/obj/item/clothing/gloves/G = M.gloves
-		if(G.transfer_blood) //bloodied gloves transfer blood to touched objects
-			if(add_blood(G.bloody_hands_mob)) //only reduces the bloodiness of our gloves if the item wasn't already bloody
+		if(G.transfer_blood && G.bloody_hands_mob?.resolve()) //bloodied gloves transfer blood to touched objects
+			if(add_blood(G.bloody_hands_mob.resolve())) //only reduces the bloodiness of our gloves if the item wasn't already bloody
 				G.transfer_blood--
-	else if(M.bloody_hands)
-		if(add_blood(M.bloody_hands_mob))
+	else if(M.bloody_hands && M.bloody_hands_mob?.resolve())
+		if(add_blood(M.bloody_hands_mob.resolve()))
 			M.bloody_hands--
 
 	if(!suit_fibers) suit_fibers = list()
diff --git a/code/modules/detectivework/tools/rag.dm b/code/modules/detectivework/tools/rag.dm
index d030a818095..dc45e2a1f8c 100644
--- a/code/modules/detectivework/tools/rag.dm
+++ b/code/modules/detectivework/tools/rag.dm
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /mob
 	var/bloody_hands = null
-	var/mob/living/carbon/human/bloody_hands_mob
+	var/datum/weakref/bloody_hands_mob
 	var/track_footprint = 0
 	var/list/feet_blood_DNA
 	var/track_footprint_type
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 /obj/item/clothing/gloves
 	var/transfer_blood = 0
-	var/mob/living/carbon/human/bloody_hands_mob
+	var/datum/weakref/bloody_hands_mob
 
 /obj/item/clothing/shoes/
 	var/track_footprint = 0
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
index ae9c5722149..05392881a6a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
@@ -461,11 +461,11 @@ emp_act
 		var/obj/item/clothing/gloves/G = gloves
 		G.add_blood(source)
 		G.transfer_blood = amount
-		G.bloody_hands_mob = source
+		G.bloody_hands_mob = WEAKREF(source)
 	else
 		add_blood(source)
 		bloody_hands = amount
-		bloody_hands_mob = source
+		bloody_hands_mob = WEAKREF(source)
 	update_inv_gloves()		//updates on-mob overlays for bloody hands and/or bloody gloves
 
 /mob/living/carbon/human/proc/bloody_body(var/mob/living/source)
diff --git a/html/changelogs/MDP-bloodyweakref.yml b/html/changelogs/MDP-bloodyweakref.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1ff19b1d37e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/html/changelogs/MDP-bloodyweakref.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+################################
+# Example Changelog File
+#
+# Note: This file, and files beginning with ".", and files that don't end in ".yml" will not be read. If you change this file, you will look really dumb.
+#
+# Your changelog will be merged with a master changelog. (New stuff added only, and only on the date entry for the day it was merged.)
+# When it is, any changes listed below will disappear.
+#
+# Valid Prefixes:
+#   bugfix
+#   wip (For works in progress)
+#   tweak
+#   soundadd
+#   sounddel
+#   rscadd (general adding of nice things)
+#   rscdel (general deleting of nice things)
+#   imageadd
+#   imagedel
+#   maptweak
+#   spellcheck (typo fixes)
+#   experiment
+#   balance
+#   admin
+#   backend
+#   security
+#   refactor
+#################################
+
+# Your name.
+author: MoondancerPony
+
+# Optional: Remove this file after generating master changelog.  Useful for PR changelogs that won't get used again.
+delete-after: True
+
+# Any changes you've made.  See valid prefix list above.
+# INDENT WITH TWO SPACES.  NOT TABS.  SPACES.
+# SCREW THIS UP AND IT WON'T WORK.
+# Also, all entries are changed into a single [] after a master changelog generation. Just remove the brackets when you add new entries.
+# Please surround your changes in  double quotes ("), as certain characters otherwise screws up compiling. The quotes will not show up in the changelog.
+changes:
+  - backend: "Gloves and mobs no longer keep a hardref to the mob whose blood they are covered in."