Comparison of identification methods used in menstrual blood identification for forensic purposes from various perspectives

Identification of body fluids, which are frequently used in forensic applications, plays a very important role in determining the crime/criminal and in scientific studies. Biological findings such as blood, semen, saliva, saliva, saliva, vaginal secretions, which are among the most important evidence that can be obtained from the crime scene, bring along the identification process. Blood is one of the most common body fluids found at crime scenes. Since these evidences is biological, it is very important to minimize possible problems such as deterioration and contamination in this process starting from the sampling stage and to choose a successful and fast method for the identification of these body fluids. In this study, the methods used for the identification of menstrual blood were listed and evaluated according to different criteria (speed, sensitivity and sample quantity, safety, workforce, cost, portability and adaptability to the routine laboratory) and the advantages/disadvantages of each criteria for different methods. The methods used were divided into microscopic methods and molecular methods and 3 commercial test kits were compared. These kits are ParaDNA Body Fluid ID Test, SERATEC PMB Test and DIMERTEST Latex Test. As a result of the study, the methods were discussed according to criteria such as speed, sensitivity, safety, workforce, cost, portability and adaptability to routine laboratory use. In the evaluation of the methods according to the criteria listed, SERATEC PMB Test and DIMERTEST Latex Test stand out in rapid screening for the identification of menstrual blood, while ParaDNA BF ID Test and other RNA-based reverse transcriptase quantitative PCRs have a high initial cost, but offer cost-effectiveness in the long term with low false positive probability and minimal sample loss.