Validation of the Use of a Commercially Available Kit for the Identification of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in Semen Stains

Abstract

PSA is currently being used to detect and monitor quantitatively the development of prostate cancer by serum levels of PSA and has also been found to be present in high concentrations in semen. Elegantly simple, sensitive, and reproducible methods have been developed for analysis of the presence of PSA, including the Tandem-E PSA Immunoenzymetric Assay. The most common procedures for the forensic identification of semen have focused on the microscopic detection of sperm, acid phosphatase activity, and immunoelectrophoretic methods for the detection of PSA. Although these methods have been used for many years, there are problems associated with each method. The Tandem-E PSA Immunoenzymetric Assay detected PSA in 100% of the forensic casework fabric samples, 80% of the forensic casework vaginal swabs and 100% of the vasectomized individuals tested. The cut-off values was determined to be 1.77 ng/mL. These results indicate that this method can be used to identify the presence of semen in forensically significant specimens.

Positive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reaction in post-mortem rectal swabs: A cautionary note

“…[1][2][3][4] Acid phosphatase (AP) paper test is another widely used detection test for seminal liquid. 5 AP is an enzyme secreted by the prostate gland, but it is not unique to the prostate and can be found in other biological fluids.…”

Optimization of spermatozoa detection using immunofluorescent staining and laser micro-dissection

“…For example, prostatic acid phosphatase (ACP), zinc, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), semenogelin and 39 MHS-5 [1][2][3][4][5][6] are often used as presumptive tests for the determination of the presence of seminal fluid. 40…”

Investigative strategy for the forensic detection of sperm traces

“…Usually whole blood, serum, or plasma is needed for a meaningful test. However, Simich et al [15] demonstrated in their published study in 1999 that PSA tests can also be run for seminal fluid. The minimal concentration here was 1.77 ng PSA/ml.…”