ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 2002
Page Count: 5

Improving the Effectiveness of Fluorescence for the Detection of Semen Stains on Fabrics
Silenieks, E
Technical officer, Forensic Science Centre, SA

Kobus, HJ
Director, Forensic Science Centre, SA

Scharnberg, J
Vacation student, Flinders University, SA

(Received 26 January 2002; accepted 26 February 2002)

Abstract

The paper describes the use of the Polilight, a light source based on a xenon arc lamp, to exploit the fluorescence properties of se-men as an aid to searching fabrics for stains in sexual assault cases. The broad excitation spectrum of semen allows the fluorescence to be generated at a range of wavelengths. This permits the excitation and emission conditions to be selected that minimize interference from background fluores-cence of the fabric and thereby optimizes the contrast between the fabric and the stain. A common method for the observation of fluorescence is the use of colored plastic goggles or filters. The paper shows that the detection of fluorescence from semen stains is significantly enhanced using ap-propriate interference filters.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic biology, fluorescence, luminescence, semen stains, semen detection

Paper ID: JFS15467J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15467J
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