Electrophoresis of Esterase D in Fresh Blood and in Bloodstains on Cellulose Acetate

Esterase D (EsD) was first phenotyped by Hopkinson et al [1] using starch gel electrophoresis. Three phenotypes were described: 1-1, 1-2, and 2-2. Bender and Frank [2] detected a new EsD phenotype, which they named 3-1. Typing of EsD in bloodstains with starch gel has been reported by Parkin and Adams [3]. Esterase D isoenzymes have also been separated by electrophoresis with polyacrylamide gel, agarose gel, and cellulose acetate by Köster et al [4]. They observed poor results with cellulose acetate and discontinued its use. Since the results with phenotyping EsD on cellulose acetate in our laboratory are unambiguous, fast, reproducible, and economical, it is obvious that good results depend on the technology employed.