ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Use of Bacillus subtilis var. aterrimus in a New Method of Tagging
Oliver, JD
Professor of biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC

Davidson, LS
Graduate student, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC

Best, WS
Assistant lab director, Charlotte Police Crime Laboratory, NC

(Received 6 June 1984; accepted 3 July 1984)

Abstract

This study describes a new method of tagging in which a nonpathogenic, black pigmented bacterium. Bucillus subtilis var. aterrimus, is employed as the tagging agent. Articles composed of various materials, including paper, glass, metal, and plastic, were sprayed with cell suspensions of the bacterium. Detection of the tagging agent was accomplished through recovery of black pigmented bacterial colonies from tagged articles. This procedure has advantages over conventional tagging methods in that the bacteria are not visible after application and are easily detected without special equipment. The procedure is inexpensive to perform and does not require specially trained personnel.

Keywords:
forensic science, bacteria, tagging

Paper ID: JFS11834J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11834J
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