Seratec HemDirect
Immunochromatographic lateral flow assay for the forensic identification of human hemoglobin in biological stain extracts. Human-specific. Rapid. For forensic use only.
Forensic Blood Identification
The Seratec HemDirect is an immunochromatographic rapid test for the forensic identification of human hemoglobin in biological stain extracts. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen-transport protein present at high concentrations in red blood cells, making it the primary molecular target for confirmatory blood detection in forensic casework.
Unlike older colorimetric presumptive blood tests — such as leucomalachite green (LMG) and phenolphthalein (Kastle-Meyer) — which detect the peroxidase-like activity of the heme group and can cross-react with non-human blood and other oxidising agents, HemDirect uses antibodies specific for human hemoglobin. This provides human species specificity, a critical forensic advantage when the origin of a bloodstain requires confirmation.
HemDirect delivers results within approximately 10 minutes of sample application, supporting high-throughput forensic evidence screening, exhibit triage, and downstream DNA analysis prioritisation across sexual assault, violent crime, and property offence casework.
Manufacturer: Seratec — seratec.com · Australian Distributor: Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd
Intended Use
Defined scope of application for the Seratec HemDirect in professional forensic laboratory settings.
Forensic Blood Identification
The Seratec HemDirect is intended for the forensic identification of human blood in biological stain extracts recovered from crime scene evidence, sexual assault examination kits, weapons, vehicles, and other forensic materials submitted for body fluid analysis.
The test detects human hemoglobin as the target analyte, using antibodies specific for the human hemoglobin protein. This provides species specificity for human blood, enabling HemDirect to discriminate human bloodstains from the blood of other species commonly encountered in forensic casework.
HemDirect is intended for use by trained forensic scientists and laboratory personnel operating within accredited forensic laboratory environments, in accordance with validated standard operating procedures.
Scope & Limitations
Indicated for: Forensic stain extract testing for human blood identification. Compatible with dried stains from fabric, swabs, hard surfaces, weapons, and other forensic substrates following validated extraction procedures.
Species specificity: HemDirect detects human hemoglobin specifically. The test distinguishes human blood from non-human blood sources commonly encountered in forensic casework — a key advantage over non-specific colorimetric presumptive tests.
Not indicated for: Clinical diagnostic use. Not for use as a standalone confirmatory test — results should be interpreted in the context of all available forensic evidence and casework information per laboratory SOP. For forensic use only.
Test Workflow
The HemDirect follows a standard lateral flow immunochromatographic workflow, compatible with routine forensic evidence processing procedures.
Evidence Receipt & Stain Identification
Receive and log the forensic exhibit per laboratory chain-of-custody procedures. Identify the area of interest on the substrate — fabric cutting, swab, weapon surface, or other evidence item — for targeted extraction. Document the presumed stain location prior to sampling.
Stain Extract Preparation
Prepare the stain extract by eluting the substrate in the extraction buffer as specified in the product Instructions for Use. Ensure the extract volume and concentration are within the validated range. For dried aged stains, allow sufficient rehydration time as specified in the IFU prior to test application.
Sample Application
Apply the prepared stain extract to the sample well of the HemDirect lateral flow device. Ensure the correct volume is applied as specified in the IFU. Place the device on a flat, level surface and do not move or disturb during test migration.
Lateral Flow Migration
The sample migrates across the nitrocellulose membrane by capillary action. Human hemoglobin in the extract binds to the anti-human hemoglobin antibody conjugate and migrates to the test line region, producing a visible line if hemoglobin is present above the detection threshold. The control line confirms adequate sample flow and reagent integrity.
Result Interpretation
Read the result at the time point specified in the IFU (approximately 10 minutes). A positive result is indicated by a visible test line alongside the control line — any visible test line intensity constitutes a positive for human hemoglobin. A negative result shows only the control line. An invalid result (no control line) requires repeat testing with a new device. Do not read results outside the validated time window specified in the IFU.
Documentation & Chain of Custody
Record the result, test device lot number, and read time in the laboratory case file per SOP. Positive results may be submitted for confirmatory analysis and downstream DNA profiling as indicated by casework requirements and laboratory standard operating procedures.
Applications
Forensic settings and casework contexts where HemDirect is used for human blood identification and evidence triage.
Violent Crime Investigation
Identification of human bloodstains on clothing, weapons, vehicles, and scene surfaces in assault, homicide, and robbery investigations to establish the presence of human blood and support DNA triage.
Sexual Assault Casework
Detection of human blood in sexual assault examination kits — including body swabs, clothing, and bedding — where bleeding injuries may have occurred during the assault event.
Crime Scene Evidence Screening
Rapid screening of scene exhibits, contact surfaces, and environmental substrates for the presence of human hemoglobin, enabling targeted collection and prioritisation of items for laboratory submission.
DNA Triage & Prioritisation
Pre-screening of forensic exhibits to identify bloodstained items, prioritise samples for full DNA profiling, and optimise laboratory resources across high-volume casework portfolios.
Species Discrimination
Discrimination of human blood from the blood of other species — including animal blood — where the source of a stain is uncertain. Human-specific antibodies support species determination for forensic purposes.
Cold Case Evidence Re-examination
Re-examination of archived forensic evidence for human hemoglobin in aged or environmentally exposed stains, supporting cold case investigations where historical samples require reassessment.
Product Features
Designed for Human-Specific Detection
Antibodies specific for human hemoglobin support species discrimination, reducing the risk of false positives from non-human blood sources. Specificity and known limitations are described in the product IFU and should be considered during validation and casework interpretation.
Rapid Result — ~10 Minutes
Results within approximately 10 minutes of sample application, enabling high-throughput forensic evidence processing and exhibit prioritisation within standard laboratory workflows.
Immunochromatographic Specificity
Immunochromatographic detection method overcomes limitations of colorimetric peroxidase-based tests, which can cross-react with plant peroxidases, rust, and other non-blood oxidising agents.
Wide Substrate Compatibility
Compatible with stain extracts from a broad range of forensic substrates including fabric, swabs, hard surfaces, weapons, vehicle interiors, and soil, following IFU-specified extraction procedures.
Built-In Process Control
Integrated control line on every device confirms adequate sample flow and reagent integrity throughout the test. Invalid results are clearly indicated, preventing misinterpretation of failed tests.
No Specialist Instrumentation Required
Visual result reading requires no additional reader equipment, making HemDirect compatible with resource-varied forensic laboratory environments and adaptable to field screening contexts.
Technical Specifications
| Product name | Seratec HemDirect |
|---|---|
| Test format | Lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFA) |
| Detection format | Qualitative |
| Target analyte | Human hemoglobin (Hb) |
| Biological marker for | Human blood |
| Species specificity | Human-specific — antibodies specific for human hemoglobin |
| Sample type | Biological stain extract prepared per IFU |
| Substrate compatibility | Fabric, swabs, hard surfaces, weapons, soil, and other forensic substrates (refer to IFU for validated substrates) |
| Result time | Approximately 10 minutes (refer to IFU for validated read window) |
| Result interpretation | Visual — test line (T) and control line (C) on lateral flow membrane |
| Positive result | Visible test line (any intensity) in presence of valid control line |
| Negative result | Control line only; no visible test line |
| Invalid result | No control line visible — repeat test required |
| Storage temperature | 2–30°C (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 |
Downloads
Product documentation for the Seratec HemDirect. Contact Advanced Biotech to request the Instructions for Use and Safety Data Sheet.
The Seratec HemDirect is a forensic rapid test. For forensic use only. This product is not approved or intended for clinical diagnostic use. Results must be interpreted by qualified forensic scientists or laboratory personnel operating within accredited forensic laboratory environments and in accordance with validated standard operating procedures.
The HemDirect is a presumptive test for human blood. Results should be considered in the context of all available casework information. Confirmatory testing and further forensic analysis should be conducted as appropriate per laboratory SOP and casework requirements.
Australian Distributor: Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Seratec HemDirect forensic blood identification test.
The Seratec HemDirect detects human hemoglobin in biological stain extracts using an immunochromatographic lateral flow assay with antibodies specific for human hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen-transport protein present at high concentrations in red blood cells. Because the assay uses human-specific antibodies, it discriminates human blood from the blood of other species — a key forensic advantage over older colorimetric presumptive tests. For forensic use only.
Traditional colorimetric presumptive blood tests such as leucomalachite green (LMG) and phenolphthalein (Kastle-Meyer) detect the peroxidase-like activity of the heme group and can produce false positives from non-human blood, plant peroxidases, rust, and certain chemicals. The Seratec HemDirect uses immunochromatographic detection with antibodies specific for human hemoglobin, providing human species specificity and reducing the risk of false positive results from non-human sources. For forensic use only.
The Seratec HemDirect uses antibodies specific for human hemoglobin, designed to discriminate human blood from the blood of other species. Specificity and known limitations are described in the product IFU and should be considered during validation and casework interpretation. This is a significant forensic advantage in cases where the species origin of a bloodstain is unknown or requires confirmation before submitting samples for DNA analysis. Practitioners should interpret results in the context of all available casework information and laboratory standard operating procedures. For forensic use only.
The HemDirect is designed for use with biological stain extracts prepared from forensic evidence including fabric cuttings, swabs from crime scene surfaces and weapons, vehicle interior swabs, skin swabs, and other substrates where human blood may be deposited. The stain is eluted in the extraction buffer as specified in the product Instructions for Use prior to test application. Refer to the IFU for validated sample preparation procedures and dilution requirements.
Immunochromatographic assays for human hemoglobin can retain reactivity in aged and degraded bloodstains where hemoglobin is partially preserved. The performance of any assay on aged or environmentally compromised samples depends on the degree of protein degradation, environmental exposure, and the substrate type. Practitioners should interpret negative results from aged or degraded samples with appropriate caution and consult the Instructions for Use for guidance on sample conditions. For forensic use only.
Read the result at the time point specified in the IFU (approximately 10 minutes). Positive: visible test line (T) alongside the control line (C) — any intensity constitutes a positive for human hemoglobin. Negative: control line only, no visible test line. Invalid: no control line visible — repeat the test with a new device. Do not read results outside the validated time window specified in the IFU. Refer to the IFU for the complete result interpretation criteria and documentation requirements.
The Seratec HemDirect produces results within approximately 10 minutes of sample application. Results must be read within the time window specified in the Instructions for Use. Do not interpret results before the minimum validated time or after the specified window has elapsed, as this may affect result accuracy and reliability.
The Seratec HemDirect is distributed in Australia by Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd. Contact us to request pricing, pack sizes, availability, and product documentation including the Instructions for Use and Safety Data Sheet.
Enquire About HemDirect
Contact Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd to request pricing, pack sizes, availability, and technical documentation for the Seratec HemDirect in Australia.
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