Exploration of RNA Degradation in Dried Body Fluid Stains as a Means of Estimating the Age of the Samples, Oklahoma, 2018-2019 (ICPSR 39458)

Version Date: Jan 14, 2026

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Principal Investigator(s):
Robert W. Allen, Oklahoma State University. Center for Health Sciences; Jun Fu, Oklahoma State University. Center for Health Sciences

https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39458.v1

Version V1

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Summary

The overall goal of this project was to understand the degradation characteristics of mRNA molecules in dried body fluid stains such that the relationship between degradation and the passage of time could be explored and used to develop a forensic tool to estimate the age of the stain (i.e., determine the time since deposition, TsD). Research has demonstrated that RNA degradation correlates with the passage of time in dried stains and have defined degradation kinetics for multiple mRNA transcripts present in dried blood, semen, and saliva stains. The current study collected detailed degradation kinetics for multiple transcripts in stains stored in real world environments with varying conditions of temperature, relative humidity, and sunlight exposure. Results suggest it may be possible to model degradation kinetics mathematically and develop an algorithm useful for estimating TsD in biological evidence recovered from crime scenes.

Citation

Allen, Robert W., and Fu, Jun. Exploration of RNA Degradation in Dried Body Fluid Stains as a Means of Estimating the Age of the Samples, Oklahoma, 2018-2019. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2026-01-14. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39458.v1

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Funding

United States Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. National Institute of Justice (2018-DU-BX-0206)

Subject Terms

Geographic Coverage

Distributor(s)

Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
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Time Period(s)

2018 -- 2019

Date of Collection

2018 -- 2019

Data Collection Notes

  1. These data are a Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data producer. All files have been zipped for release, but not checked or processed. Users should refer to the accompanying ICPSR README file for a brief description of the data available with this collection and consult with the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

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Study Purpose

The goals for this project were to:

  1. Develop an understanding of RNA degradation in dried body fluid stains as samples age under different environmental conditions.

    2. a) Examine RNA degradation kinetics in aging blood, semen, and saliva stains.

    b) Explore the use of TaqMan™ qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) technology in an effort to multiplex multiple transcript markers and produce time since deposition (TsD) estimates that are more precise.

    c) Develop a kinetic model of RNA degradation that considers the effects of the environment in which a stain is stored.

  2. Assess the effect of the substrate bearing a bloodstain on RNA degradation kinetics.

  3. Search for other RNA markers specific to a particular body fluid or widely expressed among body fluids whose degradation kinetics may enhance the ability to estimate TsD.

  4. Explore the transfer of the qPCR technology to a practicing forensic laboratory for routine use.

  5. Determine the reason for the differential degradation rates for RNA fragments mapping to the 5' and 3' ends of multiple transcripts in dried stains.

Study Design

Biological fluids, including blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal fluid, were collected from unrelated donors to conduct multiple experiments that examined RNA degradation. The biological samples were stored in various environmental conditions (e.g., different temperatures or relative humidities) and RNA was extracted at different timepoints for up to a year.

Time Method

Longitudinal: Panel

Universe

Biological fluid samples from volunteer donors over the age of 18.

Data Type(s)

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Original Release Date

2026-01-14

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Notes

  • The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.

  • ICPSR usually offers files in multiple formats for researchers to be able to access data and documentation in formats that work well within their needs. If you have questions about the accessibility of materials distributed by ICPSR or require further assistance, please visit ICPSR’s Accessibility Center.