ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 October 1986
Page Count: 8

Subtyping Phosphoglucomutase-1 in Semen Stains and Bloodstains: A Report on the Method
Gambel, AM
Special agent and physical scientist, Serology Unit, Scientific Analysis Section, Laboratory Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, DC

Budowle, B
Research chemist, technician, and assistant section chief, Forensic Science Research and Training Center, Laboratory Division, FBI Academy, VA

Kearney, JJ
Research chemist, technician, and assistant section chief, Forensic Science Research and Training Center, Laboratory Division, FBI Academy, VA

Davidson, LC
Research chemist, technician, and assistant section chief, Forensic Science Research and Training Center, Laboratory Division, FBI Academy, VA

Murch, RS
Special agent and physical scientist, Serology Unit, Scientific Analysis Section, Laboratory Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, DC

(Received 20 November 1985; accepted 6 January 1986)

Abstract

A method is described for obtaining nondistorted, reproducible phosphoglucomutase-1 subtyping patterns from semen stains and bloodstains. Isoelectric focusing of phosphoglucomutase-1 was accomplished in 80 min in a 0.2-mm-thick polyacrylamide gel with an interelectrode wick distance of 8.0 cm. The gel contained 1.2% (w/v) N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N-3-propanesulfonic acid (EPPS) and pH 5 to 7 ampholytes (4% w/v). When maintained at room temperature, laboratory-prepared bloodstains and semen stains could be typed for phosphoglucomutase-1 up to four months and three weeks, respectively. An evaluation of phosphoglucomutase-1 typing by isoelectric focusing and the Group I system was performed on casework samples submitted to the FBI Laboratory. In addition to the increased discriminating probability of phosphoglucomutase-1 when subtyped, isoelectric focusing yielded an increase in positive calls on questioned bloodstains (65.6 versus 36.2%) and dried seminal stains (16.4 versus 13.1%) compared with the Group I system.

Keywords:
forensic science, phosphoglucomutase, genetic typing, semen, blood, subtyping, EPPS, meldola blue, stability studies, casework, isoelectric focusing, ultrathin gels

Paper ID: JFS11911J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11911J
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