ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 March 1988
Page Count: 8

Detection and Use of Salivary Hemagglutinins for Forensic Blood Grouping
Harrington, JJ
Forensic scientist, New Jersey State Police North Regional Laboratory, NJ

Kobilinsky, L
Associate professor of biology and immunology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice C.U.N.Y., City University of New York, NY

(Received 8 June 1987; accepted 29 June 1987)

Abstract

A sensitive method for the detection of anti-A and anti-B hemagglutinins in fresh saliva has been developed. The method utilizes a bromelin treated erythrocyte suspension as indicator cells and includes a simple procedure to concentrate these hemagglutinins. Antiserum directed against immunoglobulin A enhances the hemagglutination assay. We find that these salivary hemagglutinins are present in over 90% of the population and that their titer remains stable over a period of two months. These hemagglutinins can be used to blood type the donor of a saliva sample and can be used in a confirmatory test that complements the commonly used absorption-inhibition test which is used to detect salivary blood group agglutinogens. In preliminary studies we have determined that hemagglutinins can be successfully isolated and analyzed from dried saliva stains.

Keywords:
forensic science, genetic typing, saliva, hemagglutinins, blood typing

Paper ID: JFS11952J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11952J
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