Protocol for tropical bed bug use as forensic tools.

As blood-feeding insects that feed on human hosts, bed bugs could be used in forensic investigations if they are present at a crime scene with no apparent evidence. This study describes how tropical bed bugs (Cimex hemipterus) can be used as forensic tools to collect valid human DNA samples. Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis was performed on collected bed bug samples, whereby the results indicate that the obtained quantities of human DNA are mostly substantial to facilitate a comprehensive genetic profiling process.