Detection of spermatozoa following consensual sexual intercourse

Astrup, Birgitte Schmidt; Thomsen, Jørgen Lange; Lauritsen, Jens; Ravn, Pernille

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.04.024

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The presence of semen is also a factor that positively influences the filing of a complaint ( p = 0.035)—although it is not really statistically significant—because semen contains the DNA of the aggressor, who thus cannot deny that the event took place , hence the need for a medical examination to be performed as soon as possible, since the probability of finding semen decreases daily, reaching zero after 12 days .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing the Filing of Complaints, Their Investigation, and Subsequent Legal Judgment in Cases of Sexual Assault

Harpe

Burkhardt

Gauthier

et al. 2018

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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In Geneva, examination of victims of sexual assault is performed by a gynecologist and a medical examiner. 48% of the victims file a complaint and we wanted to investigate the factors leading to file a complaint, those leading the Prosecutor to go to trial, and those influencing a conviction. Between 2006 and 2012, 676 victims of sexual assault were investigated (averaged age 26 year, mean 22). Information on injuries, perpetrators, and circumstances of the assault was collected and analyzed. The attacker being the ex‐spouse or a friend and the presence of semen were factors leading to file a complaint. The assailant being a family member or ex‐spouse and the presence of genital/anal lesions were factors influencing the Prosecutor. The presence of nongenital lesions, the assailant being known by the victim, influenced conviction. This study shows that the medical examiner plays a vital role in the investigation of cases of sexual assault.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing the Filing of Complaints, Their Investigation, and Subsequent Legal Judgment in Cases of Sexual Assault

Harpe

Burkhardt

Gauthier

et al. 2018

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…-Hellerud et al [174] h, 65 h, 46 h and 6 h after the alleged offence, respectively. -A study by Astrup et al [178] of three different sites (external genitalia, posterior fornix and cervical canal) of 60 women post intercourse (all samples taken within 48 h) detected spermatozoa in 88% of women who reported ejaculation into the vagina and in 14% of women who reported that no ejaculation occurred. They detected significantly higher numbers of spermatozoa in the posterior fornix sites.…”

Section: A C C E P T E Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

Oorschot

Szkuta

Meakin³

et al. 2019

Forensic Science International: Genetics

227

130

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Understanding the variables impacting DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (DNA-TPPR) has become increasingly relevant in investigations of criminal activities to provide opinion on how the DNA of a person of interest became present within the sample collected. This review considers our current knowledge regarding DNA-TPPR to assist casework investigations of criminal activities. There is a growing amount of information available on DNA-TPPR to inform the relative probabilities of the evidence given alternative scenarios relating to the presence or absence of DNA from a specific person in a collected sample of interest. This information should be used where relevant. However, far more research is still required to better understand the variables impacting DNA-TPPR and to generate more accurate probability estimates of generating particular types of profiles in more casework relevant situations. This review explores means of achieving this. It also notes the need for all those interacting with an item of interest to have an awareness of DNA transfer possibilities post criminal activity, to limit the risk of contamination or loss of DNA. Appropriately trained forensic practitioners are best placed to provide opinion and guidance on the interpretation of profiles at the activity level. However, those requested to provide expert opinion on DNA-related activity level issues are often insufficiently trained to do so. We advocate recognition of DNA activity associated expertise to be distinct from expertise associated with the identification of individuals. This is to be supported by dedicated training, competency testing, authorisation, and regular fit for purpose proficiency testing. The possibilities for experts to report on activity-related issues will increase as our knowledge increases through further research, access to relevant data is enhanced, and tools to assist interpretations are better exploited. Improvement opportunities will be achieved sooner, if more laboratories and agencies accept the need to invest in these aspects as well as the training of practitioners.

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“…Although forensic sexual assault examination in a clinical setting will be directed by the complainant’s account of events to some extent, the effects of recent trauma, altered consciousness, or intoxication may mean such information is not always available. They may be unaware of minor injuries of forensic relevance and unable to tell whether penetration or ejaculation occurred or whether a condom was used (2, 11). Use of a standardized protocol for examination and collection of samples ensures all potential evidence is collected, even when there is limited information available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a study of sperm persistence after consensual vaginal sex, sperm were best recovered from the posterior fornix, access to which requires speculum examination. Though present in lesser quantities, sperm were consistently found on the external genitalia as well when detected in the posterior fornix (2). Other studies have confirmed the posterior fornix as superior to external genital and cervical samples for sperm recovery, but that a combination of these sample sites yields the best results (34).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The area of sexual assault medicine has derived great benefit from interaction and collaboration between forensic clinicians and pathologists whether it be at the hospital bedside, in the mortuary, or in court. Jurisdictions where forensic pathologists perform both autopsies and clinical forensic examinations are responsible for key research in the field (1)(2)(3).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual Assault: Forensic Examination in the Living and Deceased

Lincoln¹

2018

Academic Forensic Pathology

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The forensic examination of a person suspected of having been sexually assaulted encapsulates the breadth of forensic medicine possibly more completely than any other situation in forensic practice. Whether in the living or deceased, detection of injury and biological material to support or exclud e sexual activity requires a careful, methodical approach to ensure robust evidentiary value and an understanding of genito-anal anatomy and sexual physiology to interpret its significance for the courts. This paper is not intended as an exhaustive guideline but aims to provide a general overview of the key components of forensic sexual assault examination highlighting the common and different aspects in living and deceased persons.

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Detection of spermatozoa following consensual sexual intercourse

Cited by 21 publications

References 19 publications

Factors Influencing the Filing of Complaints, Their Investigation, and Subsequent Legal Judgment in Cases of Sexual Assault

Factors Influencing the Filing of Complaints, Their Investigation, and Subsequent Legal Judgment in Cases of Sexual Assault

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

Sexual Assault: Forensic Examination in the Living and Deceased

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