Semen searching when sperm is absent

Science & Justice : Journal of the Forensic Science Society
Pilar MartínezInmaculada Atienza

Abstract

Sexual assault cases have varying factors that may mask semen findings when analysing evidence at the forensic laboratory. Semenogelin (Sg) is a potential marker for the identification of semen even at azoospermy or when few sperm cells are found. The current study examined Sg in normospermic and azoospermic donors as an internal evaluation of sensitivity, specificity and interference. The impact of a historical review of 53 judicial sexual assault cases over a five-year period was also analysed. The use of varying tests was of importance to prioritize certain samples within cases. Semen findings by Sg were then compared to prostate-specific antigen (PSA), phosphatase enzyme (AP) and Y-chromosome presence, the latter being used in an attempt to link semen fluid identification with obtaining a male DNA profile. Test findings were the highest ever registered for Sg (1:400,000), PSA (1:800,000), AP (1:25,000) and sperm cytology (SC) (1:50,000). Our results demonstrated the usefulness of using the Sg marker to avoid a false semen-negative result (6% cases), particularly in cases where sperm was absent or scarce (11% spermatozoa positive cases). Results were expressed in categories according to the set: Sg-PSA-AP. Thus, categories I...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 3, 2015·Science & Justice : Journal of the Forensic Science Society·Tim Thompson
Oct 23, 2016·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Jacob de ZoeteMarjan Sjerps
May 14, 2016·Veterinary Pathology·A W Stern, M Smith-Blackmore
Aug 23, 2021·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Ahmed Ghulam NabiRukhsana Parveen

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