NCJ Number
246755
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2014 Pages: 203-212
Date Published
January 2014
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The European DNA Profiling Group EDNAP organized a fourth and fifth collaborative exercise on RNA/DNA co-analysis for body fluid identification and STR profiling.
Abstract
The European DNA Profiling Group EDNAP organized a fourth and fifth collaborative exercise on RNA/DNA co-analysis for body fluid identification and STR profiling. The task was to identify dried menstrual blood and vaginal secretion stains using specific RNA biomarkers, and additionally test 3 housekeeping genes for their suitability as reference genes. Six menstrual blood and six vaginal secretion stains, two dilution series 1/4-1/64 pieces of a menstrual blood/vaginal swab and, optionally, bona fide or mock casework samples of human or non-human origin were analyzed by 24 participating laboratories, using RNA extraction or RNA/DNA co-extraction methods. Two novel menstrual blood mRNA multiplexes were used: MMP triplex MMP7, MMP10, MMP11 and MB triplex MSX1, LEFTY2, SFRP4 in conjunction with a housekeeping gene triplex B2M, UBC, UCE. Two novel mRNA multiplexes and a HBD1 singleplex were used for the identification of vaginal secretion: Vag triplex MYOZ1, CYP2B7P1 and MUC4 and a Lactobacillus-specific Lacto triplex Ljen, Lcris, Lgas. The laboratories used different chemistries and instrumentation and all were able to successfully isolate and detect mRNA in dried stains. The simultaneous extraction of RNA and DNA allowed for positive identification of the tissue/fluid source of origin by mRNA profiling as well as a simultaneous identification of the body fluid donor by STR profiling, also from old and compromised casework samples. The results of this and the previous collaborative RNA exercises support RNA profiling as a reliable body fluid identification method that can easily be combined with current STR typing technology.