RSID (Rapid Stain Identification)
Definition
A series of body-fluid-specific lateral-flow strips produced by Independent Forensics, with separate products targeting semenogelin (semen), salivary alpha-amylase (saliva), MMP-10 and related markers (menstrual blood), and other fluid-specific proteins.
- Manufacturer
- Independent Forensics
- Format
- Lateral-flow immunochromatographic strips
- Semen target
- Semenogelin
- Saliva target
- Salivary alpha-amylase
- Menstrual blood targets
- MMP-10 and related markers
Common questions
Why is there a separate RSID strip for each body fluid?+
Each fluid is confirmed by a protein specific to that fluid's biology, semenogelin for semen or salivary amylase for saliva, so a single strip cannot test for all fluids at once. An examiner selects the strip matching the presumptive test result or the suspected fluid type.
How does RSID testing fit into a body-fluid identification workflow?+
RSID strips are confirmatory tests, typically run after a faster presumptive screen has indicated which fluid might be present. The strip result supports or refutes the presumptive finding before the stain is committed to DNA extraction.
Can RSID strips distinguish species?+
Yes, in the sense that most target proteins are human-specific, which is the point of using them over older, less specific chemical presumptive tests that can react to non-human sources.
Related terms
- ABAcard HemaTrace
- A commercial lateral-flow strip that detects human haemoglobin alpha-chain using a monoclonal antibody. Validated for forensic blood identification, with documented cross-reactivity to...
- Colloidal Gold
- Nanometre-scale gold particles that appear red or pink in visible light. Widely used as the reporter particle in lateral-flow strips because they...
- Conjugate Pad
- A zone upstream of the test and control lines containing dried detection antibodies pre-bound to colloidal gold or coloured latex particles. On...
- Nitrocellulose Membrane
- The porous polymer strip along which sample fluid wicks by capillary action. The test and control line antibodies are immobilised directly on...
- Sandwich Immunoassay
- The detection architecture used by most lateral-flow strips for large antigens: the target antigen is captured between two antibodies, the conjugated detection...