Forensic Serology Overview

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts and terminology related to forensic serology and DNA analysis.

Forensic serology is the application of the study of __, semen, saliva and other body fluids to legal matters.

blood

The blood typing system includes antigens known as A antigen, B antigen, and the __ factor.

Rh

Approximately __% of the population is of blood type O.

43

Plasma contains proteins known as __ which are involved in blood typing.

antibodies

The fundamental principle of blood typing states that for every __, there exists a specific antibody.

antigen

The __ test is highly indicative of blood and is used in forensic blood color tests.

Kastle-Meyer

A method that can determine whether the stain is of human or animal origin is called a __ test.

precipitin

DNA found in the mitochondria is inherited primarily from the __.

mother

A __ analysis has emerged as the most successful DNA profiling procedure in recent years.

STR (Short Tandem Repeats)

The process of amplifying DNA from a small sample is known as __ chain reaction (PCR).

polymerase

The __ gene is shorter in the X chromosome than in the Y chromosome and is used for sex determination.

amelogenin

Forensic DNA testing includes evidence from blood, semen, saliva, and __.

hair

DNA strands typically used in STR analysis are less than __ bases in length, making them less susceptible to degradation.

450

The presence of __ is highly indicative of seminal fluid in forensic analysis.

prostate specific antigen (PSA)

The DNA molecule is composed of repeating units called __.

nucleotides