HemaTrace ABAcard
Definition
A lateral-flow device from Abacus Diagnostics that uses an anti-human haemoglobin monoclonal antibody. It is the most widely validated immunological blood confirmatory test in forensic literature. A positive result (test line visible plus control line visible) confirms human haemoglobin is present.
- Manufacturer
- Abacus Diagnostics
- Format
- Lateral-flow immunochromatographic device
- Target
- Anti-human haemoglobin monoclonal antibody
- Positive result
- Test line plus control line both visible
- Status
- Widely validated blood confirmatory immunoassay
Common questions
Why is a visible control line required alongside the test line for a valid HemaTrace result?+
The control line confirms the device worked correctly and the sample migrated properly through the strip, so a test line without a control line is an invalid run rather than a negative result, and the test must be repeated.
Can HemaTrace give a false negative on an aged or heavily diluted bloodstain?+
Yes, very old, heat-degraded, or extremely dilute stains can contain too little intact haemoglobin antigen for the antibody to bind reliably, a recognised limitation examiners account for when interpreting a negative result on degraded evidence.
Related terms
- Cross-Reactivity
- The capacity of an antibody raised against one analyte to bind structurally related compounds. In RIA, cross-reactivity is the main driver of...
- Lateral-Flow Immunochromatographic Assay
- A rapid, single-use immunoassay format in which sample extract migrates along a nitrocellulose membrane past a detection zone loaded with antigen-specific antibody...
- Monoclonal Antibody
- An antibody produced from a single B-cell clone, recognising a single specific epitope. In forensic species identification, monoclonal antibodies offer higher specificity...
- Prozone (Hook) Effect
- A false-negative agglutination result caused by antibody excess. When antibody molecules outnumber antigen sites, each site is occupied by a single antibody...
- RSID-Blood
- Rapid Stain Identification of Blood, a lateral-flow strip from Independent Forensics that also targets human haemoglobin. Functionally equivalent to HemaTrace in principle;...