Abstract
In the present work, we have evaluated eight reportedly blood-specific mRNA markers
(HBB, HBA, ALAS2, CD3G, ANK1, PBGD, SPTB, AQP9) in an attempt to determine the most
suitable ones for use in forensic applications based on their sensitivities, specificities
and performance with casework samples. While varying levels of expression were observed,
all markers were relatively sensitive requiring as little as 1 ng of RNA input into the reverse transcription (RT) reaction. In singleplex reactions,
seven of the eight analyzed blood markers (all except AQP9) demonstrated a high degree
of specificity for blood. In multiplex reactions, non-reproducible cross-reactivity
was observed for several of the mRNA markers, which was reduced and, in most cases,
eliminated when less input total RNA was used. Additionally, some cross-reactivity
was observed with tissue and animal samples. Despite differences in the observed sensitivity
and specificity of the blood markers examined in this study, a number of the candidates
appear to be suitable for inclusion in appropriately validated multiplex mRNA-based
body fluid identification systems.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 08, 2010
Accepted:
September 9,
2010
Received in revised form:
August 23,
2010
Received:
May 4,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
