Polymorphism of uridine monophosphate kinase: population study in Japanese and phenotyping in bloodstains.

The polymorphism of UMPK was investigated in 677 unrelated Japanese individuals. The allele frequencies were estimated to be UMPK1 = 0.9594 and UMPK2 = 0.0406. Our sample was devoid of the UMPK*3 allele. Phenotyping was also possible from bloodstains stored at 37 degrees C for up to 1 week, at room temperature for up to 4 weeks and at 4 degrees C over 10 weeks. The UMPK system can be a useful supplement for the mediocolegal grouping of bloodstains.