[Possibilities of using the "Gravimen" immunological test for the diagnosis of pregnancy in forensic obstetrical practice]

The immunological test for pregnancy which is based on determining the levels of antibodies present in the organism through the use of chorionic gonadotropin determination is a relative newcomer in forensic obstetrical diagnostics. In order to determine the effectiveness of this method in 1973 50 parallel immunological urine and serum reactions were determined in women from 6 to 12 weeks pregnant. The urine and serum of 10 nonpregnant women and 8 men were used as a control. Positive results were received in all of the pregnant women and negative results in the nonpregnant and in men. Further tests were run on the duration of the applicability of this test: it was found that the immunological test was accurate in serum specimens up to 6-months-old. This has an important implication for its application in forensic science.