Skip to main content
Log in

Comparative study of the sensitivity and specificity of the zinc and acid phosphatase spot tests for the detection of seminal stains

  • Original Works
  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The sensitivity and specificity of a zinc spot test for the detection of semen were compared with those of an acid phosphatase detection method. As screening techniques both tests were found to be very sensitive, but the zinc test was more specific and was more reliable in older and especially in deteriorated specimens. It is concluded that the zinc spot test deserves at least the same place as the acid phosphatase test in the primary investigation of suspected semen stains and might well be the test of choice in older and poorly preserved stains.

Zusammenfassung

Sensitivität und Spezifität eines Fleckentests zum Sper-manachweis auf der Basis der Zinkkonzentration im Samen wurden mit den genannten Gütekriterien der sauren Phosphatasetechnik verglichen. Beide Tests waren als Suchtests geeignet, aber der Zinktest erwies sich als spezifi-scher und zuverlässiger für ältere und denaturierte Proben. Demnach kommt dem Zinktest als Sperma-Suchtest zumindest derselbe Stellenwert zu, wie der Phosphatase-Methode. Bei alten und schlecht erhaltenen Spuren sollte dem Zinktest der Vorzug gegeben werden.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brown K, Brown C (1974) Specificity of two commercial acid phosphatase determination kits with respect to feminine hygiene products and vaginal contraceptives. J Forensic Sci 19: 384–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Eliasson R, Lindholmer C (1971) Zinc in human seminal plasma. Andrologia 3:147–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher R (1949) Acid phosphatase tests as evidence of rape. N Engl J Med 240:738–739

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaensslen RF (1983) Sourcebook in forensic serology, immunology and biochemistry. National Institute of Justice, U. S. Department of Justice, Washington D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez R, Wunsh C, David J, Hicks D (1974) Qualitative and quantitative determinations of acid phosphatase activity in vaginal washings. Am J Clin Pathol 64:423–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen P (1946) Determination of the prostatic acid phosphatase as a new method for medico-legal demonstration of sperm spots. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand 23:187–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Hauck G, Leithoff H (1959) Die Phosphatasebestimmung als gerichtsmedizinischer Sperma-nachweis. D Z Gesamte Gerichtl Med 49:5–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazen C (1955) Measurements of acid phosphatase activity to identify seminal stains. J Crim Law Criminol Police Sci 46:408–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaye S (1949) Acid phosphatase test for identification of seminal stains. J Lab Clin Med 34: 728–732

    Google Scholar 

  • Kind S (1958) Stable test papers for seminal acid phosphatase. Nature 182:1372–1373

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kind S (1964) The acid phosphatase test. In: Curry A (ed) Methods of forensic science, vol III. Interscience, New York, pp 267–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutscher W, Wohlbergs H (1935) Prostataphosphatase. Hoppe-Seyler's Z Physiol Chem 236: 237–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundquist F (1946) Function of prostatic phosphatase. Nature 158:710–711

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundquist F (1950) Medicolegal identification of seminal stains using the acid phosphatase test. Arch Pathol 50:395–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawson C, Fischer M (1953) The occurrence of zinc in the human prostate gland. Can J Med Sci 30:336

    Google Scholar 

  • McCloskey K, Muscillo G, Noordewier B (1975) Prostatic acid phosphatase activity in the postcoital vagina. J Forensic Sci 20:630–636

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen M (1945) Un nouveau principe pour le diagnostic des taches de sperme sur les étoffes. Ann Med Leg Criminol Police Sci 25:110–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Riisfeldt O (1946) Acid phosphatase employed as a new method of demonstrating seminal spots in forensic medicine. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand Suppl 58:80

    Google Scholar 

  • Sensabaugh G (1979) The quantitative acid phosphatase test. A statistical analysis of endog-enous and postcoital acid phosphatase levels in the vagina. J Forensic Sci 24:346–365

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sniff A (1978) Reliability of the acid phosphatase test for the identification of seminal fluid. J Forensic Sci 23:833–844

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki O, Asano M, Kido A, Oya M (1983) Zinc test as a new tool for identification of human seminal stains. Forensic Sci Int 22:231–235

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tamaki K, Fujisawa K, Okajima H, Sato K, Katsumata Y (1989) Identification of semen in stains by determination of the specific activity ofl-tartrate-inhibitable acid phosphatase. Z Rechtsmed 102:429–436

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker (1950) A new test for seminal stains. N Engl J Med 242:110–111

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walther G (1967) Die Beeinflussung des Spermanachweises durch einige moderne Waschmittel. Arch Kriminol 140:163–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Walther G, Höhn P (1971) Aktivitätsbestimmungen der sauren Phosphatase in verschiedenen biologischen Medien unter Verwendung vono-Carboxyphenylphosphat. Z Rechtsmed 69:259–262

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hooft, P., van de Voorde, H. Comparative study of the sensitivity and specificity of the zinc and acid phosphatase spot tests for the detection of seminal stains. Z Rechtsmed 103, 581–586 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01261422

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01261422

Key words

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation