Body fluid identification is an essential component of forensic interpretation, complementing DNA profiling by providing contextual information on activity-level events at crime scenes. This study evaluates an mRNA profiling method based on DNA/RNA co-extraction using the AllPrepⓇ DNA/RNA Mini Kit and multiplex cDNA PCR. Semen, saliva, and blood samples collected from ten volunteers were stored under refrigerated and frozen conditions and analyzed at multiple time points up to six months. Additional experiments assessed long-term RNA preservation using RNAlaterⓇ(Thermo Fisher Scientific)-treated samples up to twelve months. The overall marker detection rate reached 93%, with no observable cross-reactivity between body fluid specific markers. Field case samples including menstrual secretion, vaginal fluid, and semen were accurately identified even when conventional DNA profiling showed limited findings. These results demonstrate that mRNA profiling using DNA/RNA co-extraction provides robust detection sensitivity, compatibility with routine forensic workflows (~8 hours), and enhanced reliability in interpreting mixed or activity-level biological evidence. This method is suitable for implementation in forensic laboratories as a complementary tool to DNA profiling.
목차
Abstract Ⅰ. Introduction Ⅱ. Materials and Methods 1. Sample Collection and Preparation 2. DNA/RNA Co-extraction 3. cDNA Synthesis and Multiplex PCR 4. Target Markers 5. PCR purification and Capillary Electrophoresis Ⅲ. Results and Discussion 1. Stability of RNA 2. Forensic Case Studies and Activity-Level Interpretation Ⅳ. Conclusion Ⅴ. Acknowledgments Ⅵ. References
법과학 분야는 사회정의 구현에 있어 크나큰 가치가 있음에도 불구하고 우리나라에서는 이 분야에 대한 인식이 미흡하여 선진 외국에 비해 침체되어 있는 실정이다. 이에 우리나라에서도 법과학 분야와 관련 있는 학계, 연구기관, 수사기관 등 유관 단체들로 구성된 한국 법과학회를 창립하여 이 분야를 활성화 시켜 과학수사를 한층 더 발전시키기 위함을 목적으로 한다.