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

A PCR-Based Strategy for ABO Genotype Determination
Scherczinger, CA
Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, CT

Ladd, C
Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, CT

Pagliaro, EM
Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, CT

Lee, HC
Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, CT

Bourke, MT
Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, CT

Gaensslen, RE
Professor and Director, Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, CT

(Received 23 March 1995; accepted 5 June 1995)

Abstract

The ABO blood group system has been widely used in forensic serology. Several techniques have been developed which detect ABH antigens. To overcome the problems associated with conventional methods such as bacterial contamination, extreme environmental conditions, antigen activity, non-secretor issues, and non-specific absorption, several new strategies have been employed to detect ABO genotypes by PCR. We have developed improved amplimers for the glycosyl transferase locus on chromosome 9 and examined the suitability of PCR-based ABO genotyping for forensic identification. We show that the ABO system is primate specific and that DNA extracted from various tissues commonly encountered in criminal cases can be quickly and reliably typed by ABO-PCR. The results indicate that ABO genotyping by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion of the amplified product is a useful procedure for forensic analysis that can provide additional discriminating power compared to conventional immunological methods.

Keywords:
forensic science, criminalistics, DNA, PCR, ABO, ABO system, ABO blood groups, forensic DNA typing

Paper ID: JFS13910J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13910J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.