ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 5 May 2004
Page Count: 5

Evaluation of Three Rapid Detection Methods for the Forensic Identification of Seminal Fluid in Rape Cases
Miras, A
Forensic Science Laboratory, Pellegrin Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Bordeaux,

Botti, K
Forensic Science Laboratory, Pellegrin Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Bordeaux,

Benali, L
Forensic Science Laboratory, Pellegrin Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Bordeaux,

Khaldi, N
Forensic Science Laboratory, Pellegrin Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Bordeaux,

Gromb, S
Professor of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law at the Medicine University, Pellegrin Hospital, University Teaching Hospital Bordeaux,

(Received 20 September 2003; accepted 6 March 2004)

Abstract

We sought to discover whether spermatozoa concentration and the delay between ejaculation and test influence the results of seminal fluid fast detection tests. Two hundred and twenty-seven anonymous sam ples divided into four groups (normospermia, oligospermia, azoospermia, and controls) after a semen analysis were subjected to three fast detection semen tests: Diff-Quick® fast coloration, Phosphatesmo Km Paper® for acid phosphatases (AP) detection, and PSA-Check 1® for prostate specific antigen (PSA) detection. The study was performed at three time points (0, 48, and 72 h). Unlike cytology, results obtained with AP and PSA were not influenced by spermatozoa concentration. PSA detection results remained constant up to 72 h and were more reliable after 48 h than those obtained by AP detection.

Keywords:
forensic science, rape, forensic examination, seminal fluid, rapid membrane test, PSA, staining method

Paper ID: JFS2003317
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003317
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