Storage of ABAcard® p30® immunoassay kits in potentially compromising temperature and humidity conditions

Immunoassay kits are an important resource for crime scene investigators. During travel they may be exposed to a variety of temperature and humidity conditions that may be outside the range of the optimal conditions stated by the manufacturer. This work investigated if the stability of ABAcard® p30® immunoassay kits was impacted when exposed to three different temperature and humidity environments. Under controlled conditions (climate chamber) two kits were exposed to 45°C and either 10 or 80% relative humidity for 30 days each. Real-world situations were simulated by leaving kits in a car boot for 30 days or 12 weeks. After testing with semen, the control line of each test appeared to be impacted under all conditions, except when stored in the car boot for 30 days. Future work should consider testing more replicates, immunoassay kits for other biological materials, and a wider range of environmental conditions and durations.