Use of Bacteria for the Identification of Vaginal Secretions

• NCJ Number: 232672
• Journal: Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 4 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2010 Pages: 311-315
• Author(s): Rachel I. Fleming; SallyAnn Harbison
• Date Published: October 2010
• Length: 5 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd.
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: Ireland

Annotation

This study examined the use of bacteria in identifying vaginal secretions.

Abstract

The authors have used the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region for identifying vaginal specific bacteria. Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus gasseri were detected in vaginal secretions but not in semen, blood or saliva. The data indicated that both L. crispatus and L. gasseri were detected in vaginal secretions from women with different levels of expression of hormonal genes including pregnant, pre- and post-menopausal women, and a woman who has had a hysterectomy. Therefore, the study demonstrated that these Lactobacilli are promising new markers for the forensic identification of vaginal secretions. The authors have incorporated the Lactobacilli markers into a mRNA multiplex system to produce an 11-plex assay that can identify circulatory blood, menstrual blood, saliva, semen (in the presence and absence of spermatozoa) and vaginal secretions. Figures and references (Published Abstract)