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Applicability of Two Commercially Available Kits for Forensic Identification of Saliva Stains

NCJ Number
224722
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 1117-1122
Author(s)
Benjamin C.M. Pang Ph.D.; Bobbie K.K. Cheung M.Phil.
Date Published
September 2008
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study compared the sensitivity and specificity of two recently developed forensic saliva detection kits (the RSID-saliva test and the SALIgAE-saliva test) with the Phadebas amylase test by analyzing amylases from various sources, including humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms.
Abstract
The data show that the RSID-saliva test and the SALIgAE-saliva test offer higher sensitivity and specificity for the detection of saliva than the Phadebas amylase test. The detection limits of the RSID-salvia test, the SALIgAE-saliva test, and the Phadebas amylase test equate to 10, 4, and 1,000 nL, respectively for human saliva. The RSID-saliva test and the SALIgAE-saliva test were also assessed by analyzing semen, vaginal secretion, breast milk, blood, urine, sweat, and feces. The two tests were in good agreement in reacting with urine, breast milk, and feces, but not with semen, vaginal secretion, blood, and sweat. Each of the two tests could be an effective tool in forensic saliva detection, supplementing the indispensable screening procedure offered by the Phadebas amylase test. The membrane test strip and the colormetric tube test are easy to perform, and the result can be obtained in 10 minutes. The descriptions of materials and methods used in the study address test assays, samples, determination of sensitivity, and body fluid interferences. 5 tables, 1 figure, and 27 references