Question

what would you do if you were working a case and a 36-hour post-coital sexual assault sample showed positive fluorescence, had a positive presumptive test but you could not identify sperm under the microscope and the confirmatory RSID test was also negative?  What are the possible reasons for this result?  What would you do in this case if you had other test available to you?  If you would opt for additional testing, which tests would you choose and why?

Answer 1

Hi,

From the given details about the case, it is understood that the coitus has happened, and the fluorescence tests and presumptive tests (Probably the Acid phosphatase test) have shown positive.

But it has been mentioned that we could not identify sperm cells under microscope an the RSID test also showed negative result.

The possible reasons for this result may be one of the following.

1. The male might not have released sperm in their semen.

2. The male may be aspermic or oligospermic,

3. The male either have no sperm or a low sperm count.

4. The male might have performed Vasectomy

Hence in this case, the other tests that can be performed may be the PSA/p30 test.

PSA/ p30 is a known as a prostate-specific antigen that is produced by the prostatic gland in every males. In this test, the presence of antigen p30 present in the semen sample is tested using immunogenic method. In this test, if the antigen p30 is present a band will appear at the test site and is compared with a control band.

If this confirmatory test is positive, then semen is present in the sample.

The other additional test I would chose to do is DNA profiling studies. This study will exactly narrowdown to find the culprit from the suspects.Also I preer this study as this gives the perfect and confirmatory test to identify the culprit reason for sexual assault.

Hope this answer is satisying.

expecting a positive feedback.

thank you.

regards,

DR.VMK.