Abstract Context: HIV is one of the sexually transmitted infections of viral origin.. It can be acquired through sexual assault incidents such as rape. Detection and confirmation of HIV in infected human blood stains found on the blood-stained clothes of sexual assault survivors are very important in forensic analysis, particularly in rape cases involving suspected HIV positive perpetrator and a HIV negative victim. The genetic relatedness between the HIV strain in the survivor and that in the suspect can be used in criminal prosecutions as evidence of responsibility for HIV transmission to the survivor.Aims: To determine the extent to which HIV antigens and antibodies can be detected on different blood stained clothes for rape cases, particularly in a no-suspect case. Materials and Methods: A case control clinic-based study of HIV positive patients (HIVPP) and HIV negative individuals (HIVNI) between the ages of 18 to 65 years was conducted. 10 HIVP samples spotted on clothing materials were tested consecutively after 1 month and after 4 months for the presence of HIV antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and 10 HIVNI were tested using the same method as well. Sero-positive HIVP considered as “subjects" and 10 HIVNI Sero-negative as “controls. HIV-1 RNA PCR (viral load) was done on all the subjects and controls.Statistical analysis used: Data analysis was conducted with SPSS version 23 statistical software, pvalue of ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant.Results: A total of 10 HIV positive samples from known adult HIV positive patients on antiretroviral (ART) drugs and 10 HIV negative individuals were studied. All the subject's HIV ELISA results were positive to HIV and their Plasma HIV-1 RNA PCR was detectable in different concentrations. While that of controls was negative and undetectable.
CONCLUSION: HIV antigens or antibodies are detectable using ELISA technique on 100% cotton, 50% cotton mixed with 50% polyester and 100% polyester clothing materials stained with HIV positive blood after four months found at room temperature in an open environment, but 100% cotton clothing material produced more accurate results as no much effect was noticed.Key Words: HIV virus, Blood stains, ELISA and HIV-1 RNA PCR