Development of a DNA-Based Real-Time PCR assay for Identification of Semen, Blood and Saliva

• NCJ Number: 251633
• Date Published: February 2013
• Author(s): Cynthia B. Zeller
• Length: 47 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2008-DN-BX-K137
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

This study's goal was to develop an assay for the detection of sperm, blood, and saliva that can be multiplexed, save time and sample, and be "dovetailed" into the current workflow of a forensic DNA laboratory.

Abstract

During forensic DNA genotyping, evidence that contains potential DNA evidence must undergo serological screening to determine which body fluid, if any, it contains. The majority of the DNA typing process is automated, but serological analysis has not been automated, largely due to the methods used to identify body fluids. Most commonly used assays test for the presence or function of a particular protein prevalence in a specific body fluid; these tests cannot be multiplexed and can use a fairly large portion of a stain when multiple body fluids must be identified. Although the current study did not achieve its goal of developing an assay for the detection of sperm, blood, and saliva that could be multiplexed, save time and samples, and be dovetailed into the current workflow of a forensic DNA laboratory, the two assays developed for the detection of sperm still provide a proof of concept to this type of assay. By obtaining more information about the epigenome of normal tissues, the research team anticipates that this type of testing could provide a quick, sensitive detection system for multiple body fluids that would expedite and increase the efficiency for DNA typing that involves body fluids. 14 figures, 1 table, and 57 references