ABO and Lewis typing of semen, saliva and other body fluids.

It is well known that ABH group specific substances are usually present in high concentrations in body fluids of secretors. In normal circumstances these substances can withstand drying and retain their antigenic activity over a prolonged period. This enables the forensic serologist to assist in the investigation of various crimes by grouping stains of body fluids such as semen and saliva. It is possible, for instance, to group saliva and lip mucosa stains on cigarette ends, gags, masks, postage stamps and envelope flaps etc. but it is the grouping of seminal stains in the investigation of sexual crimes which predominates. The results of such tests can be extremely valuable in either including or excluding suspects.