HIV – FORENSICS: IDENTIFICATION OF HIV ANTIGENS AND ANTIBODIES ON BLOOD-STAINED CLOTHES

Abstract

Background: HIV is one of the sexually transmitted infections of viral origin that occurs by contact with or transfer of blood, pre-ejaculates, semen and vaginal fluids. It is possible to get it through sexual assault incidents such as rape. Detection and confirmation of HIV in infected human blood traces and bloodstains found on the bloodstained clothes of sexual assault survivors are critical in forensic analysis, especially in rape cases involving suspected HIV positive perpetrators and an HIV negative victim. Genetic relatedness between the HIV strain in the survivor and that in the suspect might match in criminal prosecutions as evidence of responsibility for HIV transmission to the survivor. Objective : To determine the extent to which HIV antigens and antibodies can be detected on different bloodstained clothes to develop a forensic diagnostic methodology for rape cases and early intervention for Prophylaxis, particularly in a no-suspect case. Materials and Methods : This is a case-control clinic-based study carried out on ten adult HIV positive patients on antiretroviral (ART) drugs as “subjects” and ten adult HIV negative individuals as “controls”. Blood samples were obtained from all participants, spotted on three fabrics (100% cotton, 50% cotton mixed with 50% polyester and 100% polyester), then tested consecutively after one month and after four months for the presence of HIV antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Also, HIV-1 RNA PCR (viral load) on all participants’ samples. Findings were subjected to statistical analysis to compare the Subject's and Control's results. Results : All the subject's HIV ELISA results were positive for HIV, and their Plasma HIV-1 RNA PCR was detectable in different copies. At the same time, that of controls was negative and undetectable. After one month, there was no statistical significance difference (p>0.05) between plasma at zero-days and whole blood absorbance in the three different fabrics. But after four months, a statistically significant difference (<0.05) was recorded between plasma absorbance and whole blood absorbance on both 100% polyester