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Isolation of Spermatozoa from Sexual Assault Swabs Using Proteinase K

NCJ Number
119556
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: (May/June 1989) Pages: 207-212
Author(s)
R L Chapman; N M Brown; S M Keating
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The most common examination in sexual offenses is the identification of spermatozoa in aqueous extracts from swabs.
Abstract
Using Proteinase K with sodium dodecyl sulphate, it is possible to digest all the cellular material apart from the spermatozoa, resulting in a quick and effective method of their isolation. Spermatozoa were detected in 18 extracts using this treatment when the normal method had failed to reveal all but one of them. 2 tables, 1 figure and 3 references. (Publisher abstract)

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