Identifizierung von verschiedenen Körperflüssigkeiten anhand epigenetischer Methoden

Crimes, especially those against the sexual self-determination, often occur within the known or familiar environment, so that DNA traces found at the crime scene are not necessarily relevant to the crime. Therefore, it is not sufficient to identify a person as the DNA donor but it can be crucial to establish the cellular origin of the DNA for reconstructing the crime. An essential prerequisite for the necessary enzymatic or molecular genetic analyses is the collection of samples from the persons involved according to existing guidelines. Various molecular biological methods exist for the identification of different body fluids in typical forensic casework, which are always based on the determination of the cell types present. Currently, the combination of well-known rapid or preliminary tests with a workflow for six methylation assays enables the identification and differentiation of up to seven different body fluids (nasal blood, blood, menstrual blood, saliva, vaginal, seminal and nasal secretions). This enables scientists and police to answer criminally relevant questions, especially in the area of sexual offenses.