Dermcidin
Definition
An antimicrobial peptide secreted constitutively by eccrine sweat glands. The primary candidate marker for immunological identification of sweat in forensic samples, though validated forensic assays are not yet commercially available.
- Type
- Antimicrobial peptide
- Source
- Eccrine sweat glands, secreted constitutively
- Forensic role
- Candidate marker for sweat identification
- Assay status
- No validated commercial forensic test yet
Common questions
Why is dermcidin useful for identifying sweat compared to other body fluid markers?+
It is secreted continuously and specifically by eccrine glands rather than in response to injury or infection, giving it a more consistent presence in sweat than markers shared with other fluids, which reduces cross-reactivity concerns in principle.
Why isn't dermcidin testing routine in forensic labs yet?+
Detection methods, mainly antibody-based immunoassays and mass spectrometry, have not been through the validation studies and standardisation that accredited labs require before adopting a marker for casework reporting.
Related terms
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Explained in these topics
- Immunological Identification of Vaginal Secretions, Urine, and Other Fluids
- Urine and Sweat IdentificationA small antimicrobial peptide expressed constitutively in eccrine sweat glands and secreted in sweat. Proposed as a candidate sweat marker in research settings...