Keywords

Body fluid identification, RNA, RNA stability

Abstract

In theory, RNA expression patterns, including the presence and relative abundance of particular RNA species, provide cell and tissue specific information that could be of use to forensic scientists. An mRNA based approach could allow the facile identification of the tissue components present in a body fluid stain and conceivably could supplant the battery of serological and biochemical tests currently employed in the forensic serology laboratory. Some of the potential advantages include greater test specificity, and the ability to perform simultaneous analysis using a common assay format for the presence of all body fluids of forensic interest. In this report, the recovery and stability of RNA in forensic samples was evaluated by conducting an in-depth study on the persistence of RNA in biological stains. Stains were prepared from blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions, and were exposed to a range of environmental conditions so that the affects of different light sources, temperatures, and environments could be assessed. Using the results from quantitation and sensitivity studies performed with pristine forensic stains, the RNA stability of samples which were collected over a period of 1 day to 1 year for blood, saliva, and vaginal secretion stains and for up to 6 months for semen stains were analyzed. The extent of RNA degradation within each type of body fluid stain was determined using quantitation of total RNA and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with selected housekeeping and tissue-specific genes. The results show that RNA can be recovered from biological stains in sufficient quantity and quality for mRNA analysis. The results also show that mRNA is detectable in samples stored at room temperature for at least one year, but that heat and humidity appear to be very detrimental to the stability of RNA.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2004

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Ballantyne, Jack

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Chemistry

Degree Program

Chemistry

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0000077

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000077

Language

English

Release Date

January 2005

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

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Included in

Chemistry Commons

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