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Validation of an immunochromatographic D-dimer test to presumptively identify menstrual fluid in forensic exhibits

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Abstract

Identifying the biological source of a crime scene stain can be crucial for police investigations in many scenarios. Blood is one of the most common fluids found, and accurate differentiation between peripheral blood and menstrual fluid could provide valuable information regarding the issue of consent in sexual assault cases. For the detection of menstrual fluid, no easy-to-use presumptive test is available to date. Therefore, this study aimed to validate a simple immunochromatographic test for the indication of menstrual fluid, focusing on a D-dimer assay. The Clearview® rapid D-dimer test provides a diagnostic assay for the detection of fibrin degradation products. We validated the sensitivity and robustness of the assay using fresh and dried menstrual fluid samples, body fluid mixtures, diluted samples, and casework swabs. Cross reactivity was tested for saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. No false positive results were obtained; it was possible to successfully analyze mixtures, highly diluted samples, and casework swabs. The results of this study indicate that the D-dimer assay reliably detects menstrual fluid in forensic exhibits and is easy to implement into the current workflow of body fluid identification.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all donors for their kind participation in this study. We also appreciate the excellent technical assistance by Alina Glaub, BSc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Münster, Röntgenstr. 23, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Hannah Holtkötter, Lisa Dierig, Marianne Schürenkamp, Ulla Sibbing, Heidi Pfeiffer & Marielle Vennemann

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  1. Hannah Holtkötter
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  2. Lisa Dierig
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  3. Marianne Schürenkamp
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  4. Ulla Sibbing
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  5. Heidi Pfeiffer
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  6. Marielle Vennemann
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Correspondence to Marielle Vennemann.

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Holtkötter, H., Dierig, L., Schürenkamp, M. et al. Validation of an immunochromatographic D-dimer test to presumptively identify menstrual fluid in forensic exhibits. Int J Legal Med 129, 37–41 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-014-1097-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-014-1097-7

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