Modified Method of LDH Isoenzyme Electophoresis in the Identification of Menstual Bloodstains

• NCJ Number: 25008
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 263-265
• Author(s): T R DIXON; R F GONSOWSKI
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A description of laboratory procedures for this method and examples of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) electrophoretic patterns of various blood samples are provided.

Abstract

DIFFERENTIATION OF MENSTRUAL BLOODSTAINS FROM OTHER BLOODSTAINS MAY BE A MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE FORENSIC SCIENTISTS, MOST NOTABLY IN CASES OF RAPE AND DEVIATE SEXUAL ASSAULT. LACTIC ACID DEHYDROGENASE IS AN ENZYME FOUND IN THE GLYCOLYTIC CYCLE OF CELLULAR METABOLISM WHICH CATALYZES THE OXIDATION OF LACTIC ACID TO PYRUVIC ACID. FIVE TYPES OF LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN MAMMALIAN TISSUES. THE VARIOUS TYPES OF BLOODSTAINS WHICH MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT WERE RUN ELECTROPHORETICALLY FOR THEIR LDH ISOENZYME PATTERNS. TYPES OF BLOOD TESTED INCLUDED MENSTRUAL BLOOD, BLOOD HSED AT PARTURITION, CADAVERIC BLOOD, AND NORMAL ADULT BLOOD. SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES WERE FOUND IN THE LDH ISOENZYME PATTERNS FOR THESE BLOOD SAMPLES, WITH MENSTRUAL BLOOD SHOWING A MARKED INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF LDH-4 AND LDH-5. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)