CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2006--Independent Forensics, one of the country's leading DNA forensic laboratories, today announced the release of the Rapid Stain Identification Saliva Kit (RSID-Saliva). Fantastic sensitivity and unparalled specificity provide crime laboratories with a unique tool that can identify the presence of saliva at a crime scene from bottles, cans or from rape victims for better DNA analysis and ultimately perpetrator identification.

The Independent Forensics RSID - Saliva kit will not cross react with other bodily fluids and will detect the presence of human saliva from a variety of commonly tested materials including, but not limited to: paper envelopes, glass bottles, aluminum cans, plastic, gum, cigarettes butts and swabs of contaminated surfaces.

"This kit is so sensitive it can detect the presence of saliva on something as small as a postage stamp and, with no appreciable loss of sample, permit DNA analysis on the original extract. Since most crimes are committed by serial criminals this test will identify which samples should generate a DNA profile and then be compared to the CODIS national DNA database for a match," says Dr. Karl Reich, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer for Independent Forensics.

Some States are experimenting with testing samples from burglaries for DNA in order to catch the serial criminals that commit these crimes. Often these serial criminals have been arrested before and have a DNA profile already registered in the CODIS database,

Over 1 million crime scenes are analyzed each year and literally hundreds of thousands of samples collected are then taken to the laboratory for analysis. The Independent Forensics RSID - Saliva kit allows for rapid and accurate assessment of the viability of the sample before it gets sent to the DNA laboratory for analysis making the best use of the already overloaded DNA analyst's time.

"Knowing the origin of a sample is extremely important for crime scene investigators when trying to recreate a series of events that lead to a crime being committed. When you have to testify in court to the origin of a DNA sample that is used to put someone in jail, this test is essential," says Jack Keehma, CEO.

Samples of the RSID-Saliva Kit are being supplied to all the major crime labs in the United States as well as Canada, England, France, Germany, Spain and Hong Kong and promises to set a new benchmark for forensic identification of saliva.

About Independent Forensics

Independent Forensics is a leading DNA research and analysis laboratory with a scientific team that includes 5 Ph.D.s and 2 M.S. level forensic scientists. Independent Forensics' scientific group has over 60 combined years experience in DNA and related scientific fields. Independent Forensics' services include paternity, immigration, CODIS data basing, casework, expert witness testimony and product development for the forensic community including SampleTrak software and the Rapid-Stain Identification test for Semen. Accreditations include: Forensic Quality Services - ISO/IEC 17025, American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), New York State Department of Health (NYDOH) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA). Proficiency Testing is administered by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

BIGfrontier for Independent Forensics
Dave Macey or Steve Lundin, 312-238-9308 
dmacey@bigfrontier.org
slundin@bigfrontier.org