Immunological Identification of Human Seminal Stains

Abstract

conducting a survey of alcohol and road traffic problems in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Upon completion of this survey he returned to Michigan State University to pursue graduate work. The data reported herein are taken from a thesis submitted by Mr. Mischler in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Physiology.

Developmental Validation of the SPERM HY-LITERTM Kit for the Identification of Human Spermatozoa in Forensic Samples*,†

“…However, it is reasonable to assume that proteins to which the antibody binds on the surface of the sperm head are denatured with increased temperatures. While the effective temperature range of the antibody in the SPERM HY‐LITER™ kit was not tested, serological stains have been observed to remain immunologically reactive after exposure to temperatures as high as 68°C (5). Our studies showed that extreme temperatures will affect the specificity of the antibody used in the kit.…”

“…As a result, they are not completely specific to human semen. Conversely, the detection of spermatozoa in SAE is still widely considered confirmatory for the presence of semen (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Therefore, the identification of spermatozoa, and in particular sperm heads, in unknown biological stains is the most direct method of confirming the presence of semen on the item in question.…”

“…In cases involving sexual assault, spermatozoa are generally the biological material of importance (2,3). The microscopic detection of human spermatozoa in sexual assault evidence (SAE) has long been used as a confirmatory method for the presence of ejaculate (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Confirming the presence of ejaculate assists in corroborating the victim's allegations (4,7,10,12,14) and provides material for generating the alleged suspect's genetic profile through additional DNA analysis (2,3).…”

“…However, the visualization of spermatozoa can be inhibited by the presence of other cells in the sample (e.g., epithelial, bacterial, etc. ; [2,3,10,15,16]), malformation or degradation of the sperm cells themselves (i.e., detachment of the tail from the head; [4,8,9,[15][16][17]), or a low number of spermatozoa in the sample through dilution or azoospermia of the alleged suspect as a result of vasectomy or other related conditions (4,5,(7)(8)(9)12,14,(18)(19)(20)(21). As a result, forensic analysts often devote a great deal of time and effort searching for spermatozoa in SAE (16).…”

“…Therefore, the detection of spermatozoa may be more likely when analyzing backlogged (c)old cases. Consequently, barring cases involving azoospermia, the visual identification of sperm cells themselves is generally accepted to be the most definitive method for the confirmation of the presence of ejaculate in SAE (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”