Development of a microfluidic device (μPADs) for forensic serological analysis

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a paper microfluidic device capable of performing a variety of presumptive tests for the presence of biological fluids at crime scenes. The device is multiplexed and permits the simultaneous detection of blood, saliva, semen, and urine. This portable device utilizes a set of hydrophilic channels created with wax on chromatographic paper. On the terminal end of each channel, there are embedded colorimetric reagents that can be read by eye or detected using a cell phone camera. This portable device permits fast, simple and simultaneous screening of 4 different body fluids. It should prove useful in forensic analysis for individuals interested in sample collection for subsequent downstream laboratory analysis.