Prostate Specific Antigen Versus Prostate Acid Phosphatase 1 and Microscopic Examination of Sperms for tracing Seminal Spots in Vaginal Specimens of Sexual Offences

Abstract

Objective: to deduce the usefulness and applicability of the three main seminal traces detection tests now commonly available , Prostatic Specific Antigen Oligo-Epitope Peptide (PSAOEP) versus Prostate Acid Phosphatase (PAP) and direct spermatoscopy examination  in forensic daily issues of sexual offences.

Material and Method: The specimens were vaginal swabs of seventy live and dead women suspected of sexual violence tested in Medico-Legal Directorate at Baghdad in between 2020 - 2021. Each sample was tested for seminal traces by three methods: Spermatoscopy, PAP enzymatic reaction, and PSAOEP by ELIZA.

Result: The sensitivity of AP test was 63%, for PSAOEP was 80% and combined PAP-PSAOEP test was 83% while specificity of AP test was 95%, for PSA was 90% and for combined PAP- PSAOEP test was 91%.

Discussion: In the present study, PAP trial was more specific than the PSAOEP trial and nearly similar to combined PAP- PSAOEP trial since PAP positive outcome needs only 10-20 seconds. The PSAOEP trial was more perceptive, accessible since commercial kits are appropriable.

Conclusion: The three tests PAP, PSAOEP and spermatoscopy are recommended together as applicable and convenient routine tools in examination of forensic specimens of sexual background to detect seminal traces.