Use of the Genome Profiling Method for the Identification of Saliva and Sweat Samples

Abstract

The identiˆcation of body ‰uids at crime scenes provides critical evidence that can be used to prove the occurrence of a crime. In this study, the genome proˆling (GP) method was utilized to identify saliva and sweat. We randomly ampliˆed cDNA obtained through the RT PCR approach using RNA samples extracted from saliva and sweat with four diŠerent random primers, and performed temperature gradient gel electrophoresis between 15 65°C. The Sp 2 primer was the only primer which generated the species identiˆcation dots (spiddos) in all body ‰uids. The numbers of spiddos found were 11.6±0.89 in saliva and 3.0±1.73 in sweat, and the body ‰uid type speciˆc spiddos were obtained from electrophoresed gel. Along with previously reported data of semen and vaginal ‰uid, it was indicated that the GP method might distinguish those four kinds of body ‰uids. This novel assay is a simple and economical method. Therefore it may be an eŠective tool for the identiˆcation of body ‰uids at crime scenes. However, further detailed studies, including sensitivity, reproducibility, environmental eŠect and the eŠectiveness of detection from mixed stains are necessary before actual forensic investigations.

The genome profiling method can be applied for species identification of biological materials collected at crime scenes

“…Although mixed samples were not examined in this report, both genomes are expected to be randomly amplified, and it may be difficult to determine their species. In previous studies of virus detection using body fluids, we found species-specific spiddos [23, 24]. There may be specific spiddos in various species.…”

“…It is possible to analyze information for the entire genome at a very low cost in a short period of time, without requiring any special knowledge or techniques. Using this GP method, we have identified human body fluid [22, 23] and viral species [24] and differentiated between humans and other mammalian species [25].…”

Detection of Human Polyomavirus DNA Using the Genome Profiling Method

“…The GP method has been used to distinguish mammalian species [ 2 ] and human body fluid types [ 3 , 4 ] in the field of forensic medicine. However, it has not been used to distinguish species of virus.…”