Silica capillary gas chromatography of prostaglandins with electron-capture detection and its application to the forensic investigation of sexual offences.
Low picogram levels of the E series prostaglandins, PGE1, PGE2, 19-hydroxy PGE1 and 19-hydroxy PGE2, in human semen were analysed by silica capillary column gas chromatography with electron-capture detection after conversion to the methyl ester O-trimethylsilyl derivatives of the corresponding B series prostaglandins. The method was used to detect traces of semen on post-coital vaginal swabs, and on rectal, oral and skin swabs after simulated sexual acts. Semen was detectable on a vaginal swab taken 58 h after intercourse, and was readily detectable for at least 6 h on rectal and skin swabs. Preliminary results suggest that the ratios of prostaglandins on vaginal swabs may indicate how recently intercourse occurred.
D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004356:Drug Storage; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000032:analysis*; D011456:Prostaglandins B / Q000032:analysis; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000032:analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000032:analysis; D012742:Sex Offenses; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011456:Prostaglandins B; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D012822:Silicon Dioxide