FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Environmental Chemistry & Chemical Sciences A (ENV): ENV-8

|search by author| |return to ENV A 2004| |return to FAS 2004|

[m]RNA profiling: body fluid identification using multiplex RT-PCR.  J. JUUSOLA and J. BALLANTYNE.  Dept. of Chemistry, Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816.   We report the development of a multiplex RT-PCR method for the definitive identification of the body fluids most commonly encountered in forensic casework analysis, namely blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions. The methodology is based upon gene expression profiling analysis in which body fluid-specific genes are identified by detecting the presence of appropriate mRNA species. The use of fluorescent dye-labeled primers allows PCR products to be separated and detected with capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence technology, with the resulting profile identifying those body fluids that are present in the sample as a single or mixed stain. An mRNA based approach, such as the multiplex RT-PCR method described here, could supplant the battery of serological and biochemical tests currently employed in the forensic serology laboratory.