Skip to content

Radioimmunoassay (RIA)

Definition

An immunological quantification method developed in the late 1950s in which a radiolabelled antigen competes with unlabelled antigen for antibody binding sites. Highly sensitive but requires radioactive isotopes and specialised facilities.

Related terms

ABO blood group system
Classification of red blood cells by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the cell membrane, determined by alleles...
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
An immunoassay format in which an enzyme-conjugated antibody produces a measurable colour change on substrate addition. Developed in 1971, adopted in forensic...
Lateral-flow immunoassay
A point-of-care competitive immunochromatographic format on a nitrocellulose strip. In the absence of drug, colloidal gold-labelled antibody is captured at a test...
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...
Precipitin test
A serological method in which an antiserum specific to one species' proteins is mixed with an extract of an unknown specimen. Formation...

Explained in

Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Practice with mock tests, learn from structured notes, and get your questions answered by a global forensic community, all in one place.