Enhancing the forensic sexual assault investigations with LAMP-based male DNA detection

Abstract

Sexual assault is a terrible crime that demands a comprehensive and skilled investigation to gather the perpetrator's biological material. To collect all possible physical and biological evidence, forensic investigation is crucial and should be conducted as soon as possible. The primary focus of such investigations is the detection of male-specific materials. This study presents a novel assay utilizing the LAMP technique to detect male DNA. The assay underwent validation following the SWGDAM guidelines and was subsequently tested on 92 casework samples from sexual assault cases. To evaluate its performance, the outcomes of three distinct tests: acid phosphatase, microscopic examination, and the LAMP assay, were compared against the Y-STR profiling results. The LAMP assay exhibited remarkable efficiency, comparable to Y-STR profiling. These findings emphasize the LAMP technique's potential as a valuable tool for male DNA detection in forensic casework. Further research and validation studies are essential to fully explore its practical applications and enhance its utility in criminal investigations.