Semi quantitative detection of signature peptides in body fluids by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)

A novel Raman spectroscopic method for detecting traces of blood on an interfering substrate

Traces of body fluids discovered at a crime scene are a primary source of DNA evidence. Raman spectroscopy is a promising universal technique for identifying biological stains for forensic purposes. The advantages of this method include the ability to work with trace amounts, high chemical specificity, no need for sample preparation and the nondestructive nature. However, common substrate interference limits the practical application of this novel technology. To overcome this limitation, two approaches called "Reducing a spectrum complexity" (RSC) and "Multivariate curve resolution combined with the additions method" (MCRAD) were investigated for detecting bloodstains on several common substrates. In the latter approach, the experimental spectra were "titrated" numerically with a known spectrum of a targeted component. The advantages and disadvantages of both methods for practical forensics were evaluated. In addition, a hierarchical approach to reduce the possibility of false positives was suggested.

Developmental validation of a multiplex proteomic assay for the identification of forensically relevant biological fluids

The aim of this study was to validate a multiplex proteomic assay for the identification of high-specificity protein biomarkers by multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the accurate, reliable, and confirmatory identification of bodily fluids commonly encountered in a forensic context. This includes the identification of peripheral blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal/menstrual fluid. The assay is able to efficiently identify pure or mixed stains through the identification of target peptide fragments originating from tissue-specific proteins including: uromodulin from urine; prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate specific antigen and semenogelin-II for semen; statherin, submaxillary gland androgen-regulated protein 3B and amylase for saliva; cornulin, martrigel-induced gene C4 protein, suprabasin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for vaginal/menstrual fluid; and alpha-1 antitrypsin, hemopexin, and hemoglobin subunit beta for peripheral blood. Based on the results of the developmental validation studies which included an assessment of reproducibility and repeatability, sensitivity, species specificity, carryover, mixtures, as well as a series of casework type samples. Only a small selection of case samples was unable to unambiguously identify the target fluid including urine recovered from substrates as well as semen when mixed with personal lubricants. Overall, the mass spectrometry-based workflow offers significant advantages compared to existing serological methods.