mRNA profilling results indicated a reiatively high prevalence of body fluids different from skin on the palmar surface of the hand and finger of the tested individuals.Blood and saliva were the most commonly observed body fluids,whereas the sporadic observation of vagina mucosa may be partly the consequence of MUC4 and HBD1 expression in other mucous membranes, like oral or nasal mucosa, found on human hands.PHF samples classified as other than skin showed significantly higher DNA yield and integrity, thus supporting the hypothesis that transfer of cellular material different from skin can be a possible explanation for the occasional recovery of quality STR profiles from handled items.