Forensic Serology

What is serology?
A range of laboratory tests using antigens and antibodies

Antibody

Antigens are cell membrane proteins

Blood
Cells
Red blood cells (RBCs, erythrocytes) White blood cells (WBCs, leukocytes) Platelets

Proteins
Enzymes

Plasma (watery fluid)

Red blood cells

Antigen systems
A-B-O Rh factor

Blood serum
Antibodies
Proteins which bind to specific antigens

Antiserum serum containing Ab(s) that react against (bind to) specific antigens Agglutination clumping of RBCs by reaction (binding) to antibodies

Blood type, antigens and serum

Serology
Blood typing
Identifying A-B-O type with known antiserum (by agglutination) Identifying A-B-O type with known RBCs (by agglutination)

Serology
Immunoassays
EMIT (Enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique) RIA (Radioimmunoassay) Mabs (monoclonal antibodies)

EMIT

An exactly known amount of the enzyme-labeled conjugate (drug, for example) is then added to the mixture at which point, binding sites on the antibody not occupied by drug molecules become filled with enzyme-labeled drug molecules. Only unbound enzyme conjugate is active so that conversion of colorless NAD+ to the colored NADH is indicative of the amount of free enzyme conjugate and, therefore, drug in the analytical sample

Radioimmunoassay

Detect amount of radioactivity

Mabs

Forensic analysis of bloodstains

Blood or not blood Species identification Association with an individual

Identifying a stain as blood

Kastle-Meyer color test
Hemoglobin acts like a peroxidase

Hemastix Luminol test

Identifying blood as human

Precipitin test
Uses speciesspecific antiserum Excellent sensitivity Can be used on old blood samples

Precipitin test
Gel diffusion Gel electrophoresis

Association of blood with an individual

Historical methods
A-B-O typing Isozyme analysis
Polymorphic enzymes

Association of blood with an individual

Modern method
DNA profiling/typing

Paternity testing and serology

Historical method
A-B-O typing HLA (Human leukocyte antigen) test

Modern method
DNA profiling/typing

Serology & semen

Acid phosphatase color test p30 or PSA (prostate specific antigen) immunoassays