FORENSIC APPLICATION OF ORGAN-SPECIFIC ANTIGENS

A highly sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for organ-specific anti gen is described for use in forensic practice. The sandwich enzyme imm unoassays for specific antigens to the liver (LSA), the small intestin e (sucrase-isomaltase), and the heart (cardiac troponin I) were develo ped. High levels of antigen could be detected to exist in forensic mat erials, and it is clearly possible to differentiate between samples fr om these stabbed organs and those originating from other stabbed organ s. In addition, a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for prostate-specific an tigen (gamma-seminoprotein, gamma-sm) was developed for sex discrimina tion of blood and bloodstains. The ratio of gamma-sm to hemoglobin was significantly higher in male adults than in female adults.