Evaluation of Three Rapid Detection Methods for the Forensic Identification of Seminal Fluid in Rape Cases

• NCJ Number: 206531
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 749-753
• Author(s): Nadia Khaldi M.D.; Alain Miras M.D.; Koffi Botti M.D.; Larbi Benali; Sophie Gromb M.D.
• Date Published: July 2004
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Test/Measurement; Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether spermatozoa concentration and the delay between ejaculation and testing influence the results of seminal-fluid fast-detection tests.

Abstract

This prospective analytical study performed blind in vitro on anonymous sperm samples collected at the in vitro fecundation laboratory at Pellegrin Hospital Bordeaux, having already undergone a spermocytogram. A total of 227 samples divided into 4 groups according to quantitative criteria were studied. The first group consisted of 108 normospermatic samples (48 percent); the second was composed of 31 aligospermatic (14 percent) samples defined as the presence of less than 20 million spermatozoids per milliliter. The third group contained 37 azoospermatic samples (16 percent), including 2 from vasectomized patients; and the fourth consisted of 51 controls composed of sterile water (22 percent). Three testing techniques were used: the Diff-Quick staining kit, the Phosphatesmo Km Paper kit, and the PSA-Check 1 kit. They were all compared with a reference spermogram. The kits were used for analysis at three time points (0, 48 hours, and 72 hours). The age of the population studied was slightly higher (24 to 59 years, median 32 years) than in the population of sexual aggressors of adult women investigated by Meurisse et al. and Daligand et al. The mean age for the current study corresponded with the age of all perpetrators of rape taken together. The test for acid phosphatases detected all types of sperm, but only in the first 24 hours after the deposit. The PSA kit detected all types of semen up to 48 hours. There was an excellent concordance between the PSA kit and the spermogram, with good negative predictive values even at 48 hours. The study recommends the PSA test as the best marker of the presence of semen, and it is well suited for use in emergency consultations. Previous studies have shown that cytology can detect some but not all types of sperm up to 72 hours. If necessary, a cytological test could be performed during the consultation if the PSA result was negative after 48 hours. 5 tables and 28 references