INL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Science

The identification process is

simple. A sample is placed on

a membrane strip, and two

reagents are added to the

strip. A final step produces a

colored profile, or bar code

(see the figure at right). The

bar code is unique to the

person. One can compare the

bar code visually to those

from previous tests or, using

computer software, compare

it to those stored in a database.

Progress

INL is also developing a

novel screening test associated with testing for drugs of

abuse in law enforcement and

rehabilitation settings.

Currently, urine and occasionally blood samples are used

for drug testing. Invasion of

privacy is a problem when

collecting urine samples,

since the person must be

Antibody Sensors

Historically, biologically identifying individual persons has involved such technologies as fingerprinting, retinal scans, and DNA analysis. Although DNA testing is

now commonly used by law enforcement, medicine, and agriculture, it is expensive,

and to develop genetic-code-based information takes a long time. INL is developing a novel

technique called antibody profiling for identifying persons from forensic samples. The

technology can uniquely identify a person by analyzing the antibodies in body fluids. A

unique, individual set of antibodies, called individual specific autoantibodies (ISA) is found

in blood, serum, saliva, urine, semen, perspiration, tears, and body tissues, and the antibodies

are not affected by illness, medication, or food/drug intake. An unskilled technician using

inexpensive equipment can complete a test in a couple of hours.

Continued on next page

observed to maintain chain of

custody and eliminate the

possibility of the subject

switching or adulterating

samples. Also, while obtaining blood samples doesn’t

share the same privacy

concerns as urine samples,

collecting blood is an invasive

procedure and requires special

facilities and trained personnel.

INL’s novel ISA test is based

on a saliva sample. The

approach allows integrating

the drug test with verifying

the person’s identity. It

simplifies the complex sample

chain of custody procedure

and eliminates the invasion of

privacy issue since saliva

samples can be collected

while the person is in the

presence of the officials.

Individual identification and

testing for illegal drugs are

simultaneous.

Antibody profiles from saliva.

Antibody profiles combined with

results from drug testing.
INL BIOTECHNOLOGY

05-GA50193-54

For more information

INL is a U.S. Department of Energy

national laboratory operated by

Battelle Energy Alliance

Vicki Thompson, Ph.D.

(208) 526-8833

Vicki.Thompson@inl.gov

Continued from front

Selected Publications/

Presentations

V.S. Thompson and D.E.

Key. “A Novel Test for

Detection of Drugs in the

Body That Also Provides the

Identity of the Person Being

Examined,” ONDCP International Technology Symposium,

Counterdrug Research and

Development: Technologies

for the Next Decade, San

Diego, June 25–28. 2001.

V.S. Thompson, K.B.

Barrett, D.E. Key, T. Davis,

S. Nieto, and T. Unger.

“Forensic Validation Study of

Antibody Profiling Identification,” FRENZY - Forensic

Science and Crime Scene

Technology, Conference and

Expo, Washington, D.C., May

14–17, 2001.

V.S. Thompson and D.E.

Key. “Novel Assay for Drug

and Identity Determination in

Body Fluids,” American

Academy of Forensic Sciences

Annual Meeting, Reno,

February 22–26, 2000.

Don Maiers

Manager,

Biological Sciences

(208) 526-6991

Donald.Maiers@inl.gov

Technical Contact

Management Contact

V.S. Thompson, K.B.

Barrett, T. Davis, S.R. Nieto,

and T.F. Unger. “Antibody

Profiling As an Identification

Tool for Forensic Samples,”

Proceedings of SPIE – The

International Society for

Optical Engineering, Conference on Investigation and

Forensic Science Technologies, Vol. 3576, Boston,

November 3–4, 1998, pp. 52–

59.

V.S. Thompson, K.B.

Barrett, T. Davis, S. Nieto,

and T. Unger. “Antibody

Profiling Technique for Rapid

Identification of Forensic

Samples,” CAT/NWAFS/

SWAFS/SAT Combined

Professional Training Seminar, Las Vegas, November, 3–

7 1997.

V.S. Thompson, K.B.

Barrett, T. Davis, S. Nieto,

and T. Unger. “Antibody

Profiling Technique for Rapid

Identification of Forensic

Samples,” California Association of Criminalists Fall

Seminar, Irvine, California,

October 8–11, 1997.