[Study on application of Tf subtyping in forensic medicine]

Area of Science:

• Forensic genetics
• Biochemistry
• Anthropology

Context:

• Transferrin (Tf) serves as a crucial genetic marker in forensic medicine for parentage testing and personal identification.
• Tf subtyping has applications in anthropology, genetics, and clinical medicine.
• The ULPAGIF method was employed to analyze Tf subtypes in human serum and dried bloodstain samples.

Purpose:

• To examine the efficacy of the ULPAGIF method for Tf subtyping in human serum and dried bloodstains.
• To assess the stability of Tf subtypes in dried bloodstains under various storage conditions.
• To evaluate the application of Tf subtyping in resolving disputed parentage cases.

Summary:

• The ULPAGIF method successfully determined Tf subtypes in human serum and dried bloodstains.
• Tf subtyping was applied to four disputed parentage cases, leading to the exclusion of one alleged father.
• Dried bloodstains stored at 4°C yielded successful Tf subtyping for up to four weeks.
• Degradation of Tf subtypes occurred rapidly in bloodstains stored at room temperature or 37°C, with reliable results limited to one day or two weeks, respectively.

Impact:

• This study highlights the importance of proper storage conditions for dried bloodstains in forensic investigations to ensure accurate genetic marker analysis.
• Recommendations are provided for forensic practice, suggesting examination of bloodstains within seven weeks if stored at room temperature, or immediate refrigeration.
• The findings contribute to the reliable application of Tf subtyping in forensic casework, particularly in parentage testing and identification.