Human blood identification using the genome profiling method

In criminal investigations, usually it is necessary to identify whether blood spots found at crime scenes are from humans or not. Nowadays, immunohistochemical methods and DNA analysis are usually used for this purpose. However, such methods and DNA analysis are labor intensive and expensive, and require highly trained skilled technicians. Recently, the genome profiling method (GP method) was developed. However, its use as a human DNA analysis method has not been reported. In this report, an attempt was made to differentiate human blood samples from animal blood samples using the GP method for forensic purposes. DNA extracted from a rat, squirrel, cat, dog, cow, and antelope along with human blood samples were analyzed. Following cluster analysis the human samples clustered into a single group separate from the animal samples. Therefore, although the number of samples was small the results suggest that the GP method might enable us to differentiate human samples from various animal samples. It may become a powerful tool in the field of forensic science. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.