Seratec AmylasePaper
Rapid presumptive saliva detection based on alpha-amylase enzymatic activity. Direct substrate application. First-tier screening for high-volume forensic evidence triage. For forensic use only.
Presumptive Saliva Screening
The Seratec AmylasePaper is a rapid presumptive test for the forensic detection of saliva, based on the enzymatic activity of alpha-amylase. Salivary alpha-amylase (SAA) is present at high concentrations in saliva and catalyses the hydrolysis of starch substrates, producing a visible colour change in the indicator paper when amylase activity is present.
A key practical advantage of AmylasePaper is its capacity for direct substrate application — the paper can be applied directly to fabric, paper, leather, skin, and other forensic substrates without prior stain extraction. This enables rapid mapping of amylase-positive areas across large evidence items, significantly reducing the time required for initial exhibit triage before confirmatory testing.
AmylasePaper functions as a first-tier presumptive screening tool within a two-stage forensic saliva identification workflow. Positive AmylasePaper results direct targeted sampling and confirmatory immunochromatographic testing with SALIA (AmylaseTest), which provides human-specific salivary alpha-amylase detection.
Manufacturer: Seratec — seratec.com · Australian Distributor: Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd
Intended Use
Defined scope of application for the Seratec AmylasePaper in professional forensic laboratory settings.
Presumptive Saliva Screening
The Seratec AmylasePaper is intended for the presumptive screening of forensic evidence for the presence of amylase activity, as an indicator of potential saliva deposits. It is designed for use as a first-tier screening test to rapidly identify areas of interest on forensic substrates prior to confirmatory testing.
AmylasePaper supports efficient exhibit management in high-volume casework by enabling rapid triage of large evidence items — directing targeted sampling only to areas where amylase activity is detected and reducing unnecessary consumption of reference material.
AmylasePaper is intended for use by trained forensic scientists and laboratory personnel in accredited forensic laboratory environments, in accordance with validated standard operating procedures.
Scope & Limitations
Indicated for: Presumptive screening for amylase activity as a saliva indicator. Can be applied directly to forensic substrates or used with substrate contact methods as specified in the IFU, without requiring prior stain extraction.
Not species-specific: AmylasePaper detects amylase enzymatic activity — it does not specifically detect human salivary alpha-amylase. Positive results require confirmatory testing with an immunochromatographic assay (e.g., SALIA AmylaseTest) to establish human-specific saliva.
Not indicated for: Clinical diagnostic use. Not a standalone confirmatory test. Results must be interpreted in the context of all available casework information per laboratory SOP. For forensic use only.
Test Workflow
AmylasePaper is positioned as the first step in a two-stage forensic saliva identification workflow — rapid presumptive screening followed by immunochromatographic confirmation.
Evidence Receipt & Substrate Preparation
Receive and log the forensic exhibit per laboratory chain-of-custody procedures. Identify the area or areas of interest on the substrate — fabric cutting, clothing, swab, bite mark location, or other evidence item. Document the location to be screened before AmylasePaper application.
AmylasePaper Application
Moisten the AmylasePaper as specified in the Instructions for Use and apply it directly to the substrate surface in the area of interest. Ensure adequate contact between the paper and the substrate for the contact time specified in the IFU. Multiple paper strips can be applied sequentially to map amylase activity across a large surface area.
Reaction & Colour Development
Alpha-amylase present in the substrate hydrolyses the starch indicator in the AmylasePaper, producing a visible colour change at the point of contact. The colour change develops within the reaction time specified in the IFU. Where no amylase activity is present, the paper retains its original colour.
Presumptive Result Interpretation
Read and document the result within the validated time window specified in the IFU. A colour change indicates a positive presumptive result for amylase activity. No colour change indicates a negative result at that location. Record the location and extent of positive areas on the exhibit to direct downstream sampling.
Targeted Sampling from Positive Areas
Use the AmylasePaper screening result to guide targeted extraction from amylase-positive areas of the substrate. Cut or swab the identified area for extract preparation per standard forensic laboratory procedures. This targeted approach conserves reference material and optimises exhibit utilisation.
Confirmatory Testing with SALIA
Submit extracts from AmylasePaper-positive areas for confirmatory immunochromatographic testing with Seratec SALIA (AmylaseTest). SALIA uses human-specific antibodies to detect salivary alpha-amylase (SAA), providing species specificity that AmylasePaper does not deliver. A positive SALIA result confirms the presence of human saliva in the tested extract.
Screening Result Interpretation
AmylasePaper is a presumptive screening test. Understanding the distinction between presumptive and confirmatory results is essential for correct forensic interpretation.
Positive Result
Colour change observed in the AmylasePaper at the contact area within the validated read window. Indicates amylase enzymatic activity is present. Proceed to confirmatory SALIA testing to establish human salivary alpha-amylase. Document location and extent of positive area for chain-of-custody record.
Negative Result
No colour change — paper retains its original colour within the validated read window. Indicates amylase activity below the detection threshold at the tested location. A negative result reduces but does not exclude the presence of saliva below the assay detection limit. Document as negative per SOP.
Equivocal Result
Partial or ambiguous colour development may occur in borderline amylase concentrations or with aged/degraded samples. Equivocal results should be repeated if sufficient substrate remains, or referred directly to confirmatory SALIA testing. Document and record per laboratory SOP.
Applications
Forensic contexts where AmylasePaper is used for rapid presumptive saliva screening and exhibit triage.
Sexual Assault Casework
Rapid presumptive screening of examination kit items, clothing, and bedding for amylase activity to identify potential oral contact areas — directing targeted swabbing and confirmatory SALIA testing for saliva identification.
Bite Mark Analysis
Screening of bite mark areas on skin, fabric, and other substrates for amylase activity to identify saliva deposits from the biter, supporting location mapping before extract preparation and confirmatory testing.
Envelope & Stamp Seals
Detection of lick deposits on envelope flaps and stamps where saliva may have been deposited, providing a rapid screen to prioritise items for DNA extraction from the saliva source.
Cigarette Butts & Drinking Vessels
Presumptive screening of cigarette butts, drinking vessel contact areas, and other items potentially contaminated with saliva, enabling rapid identification of saliva-positive items in high-volume casework.
High-Volume Exhibit Triage
Rapid large-area screening across multiple exhibits simultaneously, directing confirmatory testing resources to items where amylase activity is detected and reducing unnecessary consumption of time and reference material.
Scene-Level Screening Support
Where rapid on-site presumptive screening is required prior to laboratory submission, AmylasePaper supports field-level identification of potential saliva-bearing items for priority processing.
Technical Specifications
| Product name | Seratec AmylasePaper |
|---|---|
| Test category | Presumptive screening test |
| Detection principle | Alpha-amylase enzymatic activity (starch hydrolysis indicator system) |
| Target activity | Alpha-amylase (amylase activity — not species-specific) |
| Biological marker for | Saliva (presumptive — confirmatory testing required) |
| Species specificity | Not species-specific — detects amylase activity from any source |
| Application method | Direct substrate contact — no extraction required for screening |
| Substrate compatibility | Fabric, clothing, paper, leather, skin swabs, and other forensic substrates (refer to IFU for validated substrates) |
| Result time | Minutes (refer to IFU for validated reaction and read time) |
| Result interpretation | Visual — colour change indicates amylase activity; no change indicates negative |
| Confirmatory follow-up | SALIA AmylaseTest (human-specific immunochromatographic assay) |
| Storage temperature | Refer to product label and IFU |
| Shelf life | Refer to product label and IFU |
| Regulatory category | Forensic — for forensic use only |
| Manufacturer | Seratec |
| Australian distributor | Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd |
| Contact | admin@advancedbiotech.com.au · 0413 654 860 |
Downloads
Product documentation for the Seratec AmylasePaper. Contact Advanced Biotech to request the Instructions for Use, Safety Data Sheet, and technical literature.
The Seratec AmylasePaper is a forensic diagnostic test. For forensic use only. This product is not approved or intended for clinical diagnostic use. AmylasePaper is a presumptive screening test only — it is not a confirmatory test for human saliva. All positive results must be followed by confirmatory testing using a human-specific immunochromatographic assay (SALIA AmylaseTest) before conclusions regarding human saliva are drawn.
Results must be interpreted by qualified forensic scientists or laboratory personnel operating within accredited forensic laboratory environments, in accordance with validated standard operating procedures and in the context of all available casework information.
Australian Distributor: Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd — admin@advancedbiotech.com.au — 0413 654 860.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Seratec AmylasePaper presumptive forensic saliva screening test.
The Seratec AmylasePaper is a rapid presumptive test for saliva detection based on alpha-amylase enzymatic activity. The paper substrate is impregnated with a starch-based indicator system. When alpha-amylase from saliva contacts the paper, it hydrolyses the starch, producing a visible colour change indicating amylase activity. The test is designed for direct substrate application without extraction — making it highly practical for large-area forensic evidence screening. For forensic use only.
AmylasePaper and SALIA serve different and complementary roles. AmylasePaper is a presumptive first-tier screening test that detects amylase enzymatic activity directly on the substrate without extraction — fast, broad, and designed for exhibit triage. SALIA (AmylaseTest) is a confirmatory second-tier immunochromatographic test that detects human salivary alpha-amylase specifically using human-specific antibodies, providing species specificity and requiring stain extract preparation. The recommended workflow is AmylasePaper screening followed by SALIA confirmation of positive results.
No. AmylasePaper detects alpha-amylase enzymatic activity and is not species-specific. Alpha-amylase is present in human saliva at high concentrations, but it is also found in animal saliva, food residues containing starch-digesting enzymes, certain plant materials, and other sources. A positive AmylasePaper result indicates amylase activity but does not confirm human saliva. Positive results must be followed by confirmatory testing with SALIA (AmylaseTest) to establish human-specific salivary alpha-amylase. For forensic use only.
Yes. This is a key practical advantage of AmylasePaper. The moistened paper is applied directly to the substrate surface — fabric, clothing, paper, leather, skin — without requiring prior stain extraction. This enables rapid scanning of large substrate areas and stain mapping to identify amylase-positive locations before any destructive sampling occurs. Refer to the Instructions for Use for the validated application method, contact time, and interpretation procedure.
AmylasePaper is suitable for presumptive screening of forensic substrates including clothing and fabric, swabs from sexual assault examination kits, bite mark areas, envelope and stamp lick deposits, cigarette butts, drinking vessel contact surfaces, and other items where saliva may be present. The test can be applied directly to the substrate or used via a contact method as specified in the Instructions for Use. Refer to the IFU for validated substrate types and application procedures.
The Seratec AmylasePaper produces results within minutes of application. The rapid result time makes it suitable for high-throughput exhibit screening and initial triage in forensic laboratory workflows. Refer to the Instructions for Use for the validated reaction time and the read window within which results should be interpreted.
Positive: Colour change observed in the AmylasePaper at the contact area within the validated read window — indicates amylase activity. Proceed to confirmatory SALIA testing. Negative: No colour change — paper retains original colour — indicates no amylase activity detected at the tested location. Equivocal: Partial or ambiguous colour change — repeat if substrate permits, or refer to confirmatory testing. Refer to the Instructions for Use for the full interpretation criteria. For forensic use only.
The Seratec AmylasePaper is distributed in Australia by Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd. Contact us at admin@advancedbiotech.com.au or telephone 0413 654 860 to request pricing, pack sizes, availability, and product documentation including the Instructions for Use and Safety Data Sheet.
Enquire About AmylasePaper
Contact Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd to request pricing, pack sizes, availability, and technical documentation for the Seratec AmylasePaper in Australia.
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