ABH antigen typing in bone tissue

Results obtained from the ABH grouping of bone tissues by the absorption-elution procedure and by a recently described two-dimensional absorption-inhibition procedure are reported. Neither the elution nor the inhibition procedure alone yielded uniformly correct results. A combination procedure consisting of the use of both absorption-elution and two-dimensional absorption-inhibition is proposed for bone ABH grouping. When elution and inhibition were used in combination, specimens yielding concordant results with both techniques were correctly grouped.     

Studies on ABH antigen grouping of ammoniacal extracts of bloodstains by absorption-elution

The effects of absorption time, titer of antiserum or lectin in the absorption stage, and elution temperature on relative antibody or lectin yield in elutes in the absorption-elution procedure were studied in bloodstains and ammoniacal extracts of bloodstains using conventional grouping reagents. In addition, monoclonal anti-A and anti-B and affinity-purified Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA I) reagents were employed for comparison in these processes. Ammoniacal extracts of bloodstains and dried bloodstains on cotton substrata behaved comparably with respect to the parameters studied. The monoclonal anti-A and anti-B and UEA I reagents studied yielded satisfactory results, comparable in some cases to conventional reagents, with respect to the parameters studied.     

Should Biological Evidence or DNA be Retained by Forensic Science Laboratories After Profiling? No, Except Under Narrow Legislatively-Stipulated Conditions

DNA profiling and databasing are now commonplace. A body of state and federal legislation enables the establishment and operation of profile databases for law-enforcement purposes. Enabling legislation is usually specific about who, or what evidence, may be profiled for a database. It may be less specific or silent on the issue of specimen retention following profiling and databasing.     

Distributions of genetic markers in United States populations: II. Isoenzyme systems

All published and unpublished population frequency data that could be located for U.S. populations is tabulated and presented for the isoenzyme systems phosphoglucomutase, esterase D, adenylate kinase, acid phosphatase, glyoxalase I, adenosine deaminase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, carbonic anhydrase II, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Results obtained by combining data for comparable racial/ethnic groups are also presented. The results obtained with combined data may give better information on frequencies for the U.S. population at large than is obtainable from studies conducted in restricted geographic areas.     

An estimate of the proportion of drug-facilitation of sexual assault in four U.S. localities

In recent years, drugs including flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, ketamine, and ethanol, have become popularly associated with drug-facilitated sexual assault. Other drugs are also candidates as factors in "drug facilitated sexual assault" (DFSA). The true extent of DFSA is not known, and is difficult to estimate. We recruited sexual assault complainants at four clinics in different parts of the U.S. to anonymously provide urine and hair specimens, and to answer questions about suspected drugging, drug use, and the sexual assault incident. Urine and hair specimens were tested for 45 drugs, including ethanol, and those pharmacologically capable of inducing sedation, amnesia, or impairment of judgment. Analytical test results were used to estimate the proportion of subjects, and the proportion of all complainants to the clinic in the same time period, who were victims of DFSA. Overall, cases of 43% of 144 subjects, and 7% of 859 complainants, were characterized as DFSA. Subjects underreported their use of drugs. The role of toxicological results and history in characterizing DFSA cases is discussed.     

Distributions of genetic markers in a Nebraska population

Seven genetic marker systems were analyzed from liquid blood and dried bloodstain specimens submitted to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory from various law enforcement agencies throughout Nebraska. The phenotypic and genotypic frequencies for the ABO, Lewis, esterase D (ESD), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), adenylate kinase (AK), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and haptoglobin (HP) systems were calculated. The results indicate that the phenotypic frequencies are generally in agreement with frequencies reported in other populations in the United States.     

Evaluation of antisera for bloodstain grouping. I. ABH, MN, and Rh

Sixty-eight different commercially available blood grouping antisera and lectins with ABH, MN, and Rh D, C, E, c, and e specificities were serologically evaluated for their applicability to bloodstain antigen determination. The characteristics of the antisera were determined with red cells, with fresh bloodstains, and with series of aging bloodstains. The Rh antisera were tested under a variety of serological conditions and with bloodstains on various substrata. Additionally, studies on optimization of absorption-elution procedure variables were carried out, and some data on the storage characteristics of red cells and blood grouping antisera were gathered.