ABSTRACT

Forensic Sciences have important role in evaluation of the medical and physical evidences of sexual assaults. Genital and anal physical findings of the victims are mostly suggestive but not diagnostic. The only specific physical finding of genital trauma is acute laceration of the hymen. Obvious indicators for sexual assaults are the presence of sperms or other seminal components on the bodies or/and the cloths of the victims or at the erime scene. Cytological, immunological and biochemical methods have been used for identification of seminal components.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been recognized as a forensic marker because of its biological specificity and deteetability in trace amounts, and stability in dried stains and vaginal environment. Nowadays, simple and high teeh-nological methods are available for detection of PSA. İn this study, a simple immunological method (Ouchterlony teeh-nique) has been modified and adapted for our serology lab-oratory as a preliminary detection method of PSA.

The performed experiments revealed that the best pre-cipitation zones were obtained with the 1/2 (15ml) dilution of anti-PSA and with the 1/40 and 1/80 dilutions of the seminal plasma (lOml). The vaginal swabs and the extrac-tions of swabs should be tested simultaneously for the best results.

Keywords: Sexual assaults, Rape, Semen, Prostat specific antigen, Ouchterlony technique.