A method for analyzing a biological sample by antibody profiling for
identifying forensic samples or for detecting the presence of an analyte.
In an embodiment of the invention, the analyte is a drug, such as
marijuana, Cocaine (crystalline tropane alkaloid), methamphetamine,
methyltestosterone, or mesterolone. The method comprises attaching
antigens to a surface of a solid support in a preselected pattern to form
an array wherein locations of the antigens are known; contacting the
array with the biological sample such that a portion of antibodies in the
sample reacts with and binds to the antigens in the array to form immune
complexes; washing away antibodies that do form immune complexes; and
detecting the immune complexes, to form an antibody profile. Forensic
samples are identified by comparing a sample from an unknown source with
a sample from a known source. Further, an assay, such as a test for
illegal drug use, can be coupled to a test for identity such that the
results of the assay can be positively correlated to the subject's
identity.