Sensitive fluorometric detection of heat-stable alkaline phosphatase from bloodstains for the forensic diagnosis of pregnancy

Sensitive and simple procedures are established for the forensic pregnancy test from bloodstains. This paper describes new techniques based on heat stability of placental alkaline phosphatase. In this study the total and heat-stable alkaline phosphatase activities were determined using 4-methylumbelliferyl-phosphate as substrate. The ratio of heatstable alkaline phosphatase to total alkaline phosphatase was calculated. A more simple screening test which was visible by exposure to UV light is described. These may be helpful in the diagnosis of pregnancy from only a slight bloodstain.