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Updated: Oct 4, 2026
Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa
Published on: December 30, 2014
Persistence of spermatozoa and prostatic acid phosphatase in specimens from deceased individuals during varied
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Section, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. collinsk@musc.edu
Abstract:
The survival of spermatozoa and the persistence of prostatic acid phosphatase has been an area of interest for investigators of sexual assault. However, not much documentation exists concerning the examination of a deceased individual with regard to the postmortem interval and presence of such evidence. The authors reviewed cases referred to the medical examiner's office during a 10-year period. During this time, 199 cases were both autopsied and examined for sexual assault. In particular, these examinations included procurement of swabs for Papanicolaou staining of smears and for quantitation of prostatic acid phosphatase. Most of the victims were female, although a few were male. In the majority of cases, the swabs for smears and prostatic acid phosphatase were taken from oral, vaginal, and anorectal areas in females and oral and anorectal areas in males. The smears all were stained with the routine Papanicolaou stain, and intact spermatozoa and spermatozoan heads were sought. The prostatic acid phosphatase was analyzed by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay method and reported as ng/ml. A level of greater than 100 ng/ml was considered positive. The cases were analyzed with respect to postmortem interval; presence or absence of intact spermatozoa or spermatozoan heads; presence of an elevated prostatic acid phosphatase; body location of the specimen; the time of year; location of the victim; and physical injury (anogenital) of sexual assault. The authors hope that by examining the laboratory evidence of sexual assault, a correlation can be drawn between the presence or absence of such evidence and the aforementioned variables.
Insights
Forensic analysis of sexual assault cases in deceased individuals can detect spermatozoa and prostatic acid phosphatase. This study examines evidence persistence related to postmortem interval and other factors.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Toxicology
- Pathology
Background:
- Investigating sexual assault cases often involves detecting spermatozoa and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).
- Limited documentation exists on the postmortem interval and evidence persistence in deceased individuals.
- This study addresses the gap in understanding sexual assault evidence in postmortem examinations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze laboratory evidence of sexual assault in deceased individuals.
- To correlate the presence/absence of spermatozoa and PAP with postmortem interval and other variables.
- To enhance understanding of sexual assault evidence in forensic pathology.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed 199 autopsied cases examined for sexual assault over 10 years.
- Collected swabs for Papanicolaou staining and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) quantitation from oral, vaginal, and anorectal areas.
- Analyzed PAP using microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA); >100 ng/ml considered positive. Examined spermatozoa presence, PAP levels, postmortem interval, specimen location, time of year, victim location, and anogenital injury.
Main Results:
- The study examined the relationship between postmortem interval and the detection of spermatozoa and elevated PAP levels.
- Factors such as specimen location and physical injury were analyzed in conjunction with evidence detection.
- The research provides data on the persistence of sexual assault indicators in deceased individuals.
Conclusions:
- The study aims to establish correlations between laboratory findings and variables in sexual assault cases.
- Findings contribute to the understanding of sexual assault evidence in the context of postmortem examinations.
- This research supports forensic investigators in interpreting sexual assault evidence in deceased victims.
