Forensic Sciie Forensic Science International 61 (1993) 133- 140 Internihnid Assessment of Lewis blood group antigens secretor status in autopsy specimens and A. Busuttil”, C.C. Blackwell*b, V.S. Jamesb, D.A.C. MacKenzieb, A.T. Saadib, D.M. Weirb zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcba ‘Department of Forensic Medicine, bMedical Microbiology, The Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG Scotland, UK (Received 25 January 1993; revision received 23 April 1993; accepted 17 May 1993) Abstract The ability of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect Lewis and H antigens in secretions obtained from 280 autopsies was assessed. The ELISA results were compared with those for matched blood specimens examined by agglutination of erythrocytes by monoclonal anti-Lewis” and anti-Lewisb antibodies. There was good agreement between the results for the two tests and the ELISAs could be used to determine secretor status of the subject. While determination of ABO group with monoclonal anti-A and anti-B was possible even with lysed blood, the results for Lewis typing by erythrocyte agglutination were poor if the sample was lysed or partially lysed. Detection of the antigens by ELISA was as efficient among elderly subjects as among younger ones and both H and Lewis antigens could be detected on erythrocytes and in secretions up to 127 h after death. Key words: Secretor status; Lewis blood group; Autopsy specimens 1. Introduction Although molecular biological techniques have produced major advances in forensic haemogenetics, blood grouping and the detection of blood group substances is still of significant importance in the investigation of a sudden suspicious death and * Corresponding author. 0379-0738/93/$06.00 0 1993 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. SSDI 0379-0738(93)01390-D