Caspase family of proteases are the central mediators of apoptosis in mammalian cells. The Caspase-12 Fluorometric Assay Kit provides a simple and convenient means for assaying the activity of caspases that recognize the sequence ATAD. The assay is based on detection of cleavage of substrate ATAD-AFC (AFC: 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin). ATAD-AFC emits blue light (max = 400 nm); upon cleavage of the substrate by caspase-12 or related caspases, free AFC emits a yellow-green fluorescence (λmax = 505 nm), which can be quantified using a fluorometer or a fluorecence microtiter plate reader.