Evaluation of forensic examination of extremely aged seminal stains.
The results of forensic tests, such as semen identification and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis of extremely aged seminal stains from unsolved sex crimes can provide important evidence. In this study we evaluated whether current forensic methods could be applied to seminal stains that were stored at room temperature for 33-56years (n=2, 33years old; n=1, 41years old; n=1, 44years old; n=1, 56years old). The prostatic acid phosphatase (SM-test reagent), microscopic (Baecchi stain method) and semenogelin (RSID™ Semen Laboratory Kit) tests were performed as discriminative tests for semen. In addition, the mRNA levels of the semen-specific proteins semenogelin 1 (SEMG1) and protamine 2 (PRM2) were investigated. STRs were analyzed using the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler™ PCR Amplification Kit. All samples were positive in the prostatic acid phosphatase and semenogelin tests, and sperm heads were identified in all samples. The staining degree of the aged sperm heads was similar to that of fresh sperm. Although SEMG1 mRNA was not detected in any sample, PRM2 mRNA was detected in three samples. In the STR analysis, all loci were detected in the 33-years-old sample and five loci were detected in the 56-years-old sample. We confirmed that current forensic examinations - including STR analysis - could be applied to extremely aged seminal stains. These results could be useful for forensic practice.
Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan. Electronic address: hnakani@juntendo.ac.jp.
Hiroaki
H
Nakanishi
Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
Masaaki
M
Hara
Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
Shirushi
S
Takahashi
Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
Aya
A
Takada
Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
Kazuyuki
K
Saito
D000328:Adult; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012661:Semen; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013997:Time Factors
Discrimination test; Extremely aged seminal stain; Quantitative DNA; Short tandem repeat analysis