A new method in criminology: use of ELISA to detect AFP on different materials with monoclonal anti-alpha-fetoprotein

A new method has been introduced to distinguish normal adult serum stains from fetal or newborn serum and amniotic fluid stains with ELISA in cases of criminal abortion and infanticide. The method is based on the sensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by a two-site enzyme immunoassay (EIA) following its elution with high efficiency from different materials (e.g., cotton, paper, synthetic fabric, or glass) by phosphate-buffered 0.5 M NaCl solution.     

The politics of the national assessment of chapter 1

This article describes the events associated with the National Assessment of Chapter 1, a study mandated by Congress in December 1983 in anticipation of its 1987 reauthorization of Chapter 1. The assessment occurred at the time the Reagan Administration was seriously challenging many of Congress's favorite educational programs, including Chapter 1. Despite their serious differences in views about Chapter 1, both Congress and the administration expected the assessment to serve their own needs and each group was worried that the other would have undue influence on the assessment. The article illustrates the politics associated with evaluation by describing the activities of the assessment, the responses of each of these two audiences, and the efforts of each side to control the assessment's agenda. It raises questions about whether an evaluation can really serve multiple audiences.     

Micromethod for MN antigen grouping of dried bloodstains

A micromethod based on the absorption elution technique was shown to be applicable to the detection of M and N blood groups of dried bloodstains on cotton cloth. Each antigen M and N was tested using two different types of antisera. Two hundred different bloodstains, stored up to six months, were analyzed. Conclusive results were obtained for M typing on 2.5-mm-long bloodstained threads. For N typing, some cross-reactivity of homozygous M stains with anti-N sera was observed. This may be explained by the structure of the M and N antigens on the red cell membrane.