Date of Graduation
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Clifton Bishop
Abstract
The time of deposition of biological samples at a crime scene is vital for interpreting the value of the samples in cases where the location by itself is not incriminating. Previous work from our laboratory showed a method to estimate the bloodstain age by using reverse transcription real-time PCR based on the amount of RNA decay of 18S compared to β-actin. In order to eliminate variability in expression levels between 18S and β-actin, an approach utilizing two differently sized regions of the β-actin gene was investigated. Results indicated ethnicity, age, and gender of the individual from whom the blood was derived did not have a statistically significant effect on RNA degradation. In addition it was shown RNA degrades more rapidly in dried bloodstains exposed to 75% humidity versus 60% humidity. It was determined that β-actin mRNA can be successfully used to estimate the age of dried bloodstains between the ages of zero and 150 days.
Recommended Citation
Nestor, Kristin Nicole, "The Use of β-actin mRNA Degradation to Estimate Bloodstain Age" (2006). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10954.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10954