Validation Study of the Abacus Diagnostics ABAcard® HemaTrace® Membrane Test for the Forensic Identification of Human Blood

Abstract

The purpose of this validation study was to determine whether the ABAcard® HemaTrace® (Abacus Diagnostics, West Hills CA), a simple immunochromatographic test for the forensic identification of human blood, was suitable for introduction into routine laboratory use at the Centre of Forensic Sciences. In this study we examined the sensitivity and specificity of the kit, as well as the effect of environmental exposure and contamination on the test.The limit of detection of the kit was determined to be 0.07μg haemoglobin/mL. Tests showed specificity to human, higher primate, and ferret blood. Positive results were unaffected by a variety, of contaminants and under a range of conditions, with the exception of stains subjected to a tumble-dryer cycle or prolonged exposure to soil.The results of this validation support the introduction of the ABAcard® HemaTrace® test for routine use in the forensic identification of human blood.