Differential genes expression biomarkers for menstrual and peripheral blood stains analysis

Abstract Background Identification of menstrual blood is an important issue in forensic biology, but there are no confirmatory methods for its detection. This study aimed to investigate the use of mRNA markers (hemoglobin alpha (HBA), matrix metalloproteinases 7 &11 (MMP7 &MMP11) as forensic markers for differentiation between menstrual and peripheral blood stains. Results HBA was present in all peripheral and menstrual blood samples with higher levels in peripheral blood. MMP 7&11 were absent in peripheral blood samples. MMP7 levels were higher than that of MMP11 throughout days of menstruation (days 1–5). Conclusion HBA, MMP7&MMP11 could be useful markers for differentiation between menstrual and peripheral blood stains. Further studies should be conducted on various fabrics and other body fluids