ABO Genotyping And Application In Forensic Medicine

Objective To optimize the technique of multiplex PCR-RFLP in ABO genotyping and evaluate the value of this technique in forensic practice. Methods The human ABO genotypes from different samples were detected by a multiplex PCR under optimizing amplification condition. The PCR products were then digested with Kpn I and Alu I , following by 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Some kinds of forensic biological samples such as blood, semen- contaminating vaginal fluid, saliva swab, muscle and bone were used for ABO genotyping to evaluate the value of this technique in forensic practice. The sequence differences of A, B and O alleles of ABO system were also analyzed by PCR direct sequencing. Result Six possible varieties of ABO genotypes could be identified by this Multiplex PCR-RFLP technique. The results of all ABO genotyping in 50 families observe the Mendel's Law and were fully consistent with their ABO phenotypes. Our results show that ABO genotypes could be identified correctly in varioustypes of forensic biological material. One mutation was also detected by PCR-direct sequencing method. Conclusion The ABO genotyping technique of Multiplex PCR-RFLP is a simple, exact and repeatable method for first-step suspect screening, cadaver identifying and paternity testing in forensic practice.