Observational studyForensic science, medicine, and pathology2014
Early evidence kits in sexual assault: an observational study of spermatozoa detection in urine and other forensic specimens.
Observational study in Forensic science, medicine, and pathology, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Verification of the persistence of sperm traces under different chain-of-custody conditions. Care pathway and justice for victims of sexual violence and abuse.Forensic science, medicine, and pathology · 2026Article
- Domestic and sexual violence in Australia: Current evidence and the potential role of forensic science.Forensic science international. Synergy · 2026Review
- Improving the forensic genital examination for trans and gender diverse sexual assault complainants: three case reports.International journal of legal medicine · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeTo determine the detection frequency of spermatozoa in early evidence kit specimens and in subsequent full forensic specimens in alleged sexual assault.
methodsObservational cohort study of 100 consecutive alleged sexual assault cases, presenting in Western Australia between 19th July 2008 and 6th February 2012, with both early evidence kit and full forensic evidence specimen collections. Eighty-eight cases were included in the study. Smears from all forensic specimens were analyzed by light microscopy to determine the detection frequency and structural characteristics of spermatozoa. Patient demographic features, characteristics of the alleged assault and details and timing of forensic collections were also recorded.
resultsSpermatozoa were detected in early evidence kit specimens in 35 % (31/88) and in full forensic specimens in 42 % (37/88) of all cases (irrespective of type of alleged penetration). In alleged penile-vaginal penetration, spermatozoa were detected in early evidence kit specimens in 40 % (21/53) of cases when both first void urine and vulval gauze wipe were collected. Spermatozoa were detected in full forensic specimens in 45 % (31/69) of cases. Spermatozoa were detected in early evidence kit oral rinse specimens in 6 % (1/18) of cases of alleged penile-oral penetration and in early evidence perianal gauze wipe specimens in 33 % (2/6) cases of alleged penile-anal penetration. Spermatozoa were detected in the early evidence kit first void urine specimen in a single case, 11 % (1/9), in which the nature of the alleged assault was unknown. Spermatozoa were detected in early evidence kit specimens and not in full forensic specimens in 3 % (3/88) of cases.
conclusionsEarly evidence kit specimens are effective in recovery of spermatozoa, and in particular urine and vulval gauze wipe are worthwhile early forensic specimens for the detection of spermatozoa. Collection of early evidence specimens led to detection of spermatozoa-positive cases, which were not detected by subsequent full forensic specimen collection.
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