Summary Guidelines for the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assays to aid the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in high‐risk haematology patients have not been formulated. We prospectively evaluated a nested PCR assay to detect Aspergillus in blood during 95 febrile neutropenic episodes, in patients with haematological malignancy and haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. PCR results were correlated with the diagnostic classification of the 2002 European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group. When two‐positive results were used to define an episode as ‘PCR positive’, the sensitivity, specificity, positive‐predictive value and negative predictive value for ‘proven’/‘probable’ IA (n = 13) were 100%, 75·4%, 46·4% and 100%, respectively. Consecutive positive results occurred in 61·5% of these 13 episodes. Overall, PCR positivity preceded standard diagnosis by a mean of 14 d and the median time between positive results was shorter than that in other categories of IA. All 13 episodes occurred in the setting of allogeneic HSCT recipients and acute leukaemia. If ‘eligibility’ for antifungal therapy were based on two‐positive‐PCR tests, use of empiric treatment could have been reduced by up to 37%. The nested PCR assay is a practical screening test for excluding IA. Patients with consecutive positive results or intermittent‐positive results (within 14 d) warrant immediate investigations for IA and the initiation of antifungal therapy.

The use of disease-causing organisms and their toxins against the civilian population has defined bioterrorism and opened forensic science up to the challenges of processing contaminated evidence. This study sought to determine the use of gamma irradiation as an effective biological decontaminant and its effect on the recovery of latent fingermarks from both porous and nonporous items. Test items were contaminated with viable spores marked with latent prints and then decontaminated using a cobalt 60 gamma irradiator. Fingermark detection was the focus with standard methods including 1,2-indanedione, ninhydrin, diazafluoren-9-one, and physical developer used during this study. DNA recovery using 20% Chelex extraction and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was also explored. Gamma irradiation proved effective as a bacterial decontaminant with D-values ranging from 458 to 500 Gy for nonporous items and 797-808 Gy for porous ones. The results demonstrated the successful recovery of latent marks and DNA establishing gamma irradiation as a viable decontamination option.

In the present age of heightened emphasis on counter terrorism, law enforcement and forensic science are constantly evolving and adapting to the motivations and capabilities of terrorist groups and individuals. The use of biological agents on a population, such as anthrax spores, presents unique challenges to the forensic investigator, and the processing of contaminated evidence. In this research, a number of porous and non-porous items were contaminated with viable [corrected] spores and marked with latent fingermarks. The test samples were then subjected to a standard formulation of formaldehyde gas. Latent fingermarks were then recovered post decontamination using a range of methods. Standard fumigation, while effective at destroying viable spores, contributed to the degradation of amino acids leading to loss of ridge detail. A new protocol for formaldehyde gas decontamination was developed which allows for the destruction of viable spores and the successful recovery of latent marks, all within a rapid response time of less than 1 h.

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