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Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Analysts

Semen & Cellular Material

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Reporting Guidelines - Semen & Cellular Material

TestReporting
Positive Acid Phosphatase (AP)* or other preliminary color test
  • Analysis of (Exhibit__) gave presumptive chemical indications for the presence of acid phosphatase, a component of semen.
Positive AP
AND
Positive Microscopic (sperm)
  • Spermatozoa were identified on _____.
  • Microscopic examination of __ demonstrated the presence of spermatozoa.
Positive AP
AND
Negative Microscopic (sperm)
AND
Positive P30
  • Semen was identified on _____. Further characterization may be possible using y-chromosome specific marker DNA analysis. Please contact the Forensic Biology section for a list of laboratories that conduct this analysis.
  • Microscopic examination of __ failed to demonstrate the presence of spermatozoa. Analysis of __ demonstrated the presence of semen.
Positive AP
AND
Negative Microscopic (sperm)
AND
Negative P30
  • No semen was identified on _____. 
Negative AP
  • No semen was detected on _____.
  • Analysis of__ failed to demonstrate the presence of semen.
Negative Visual/Alternate Light Source (ALS)
  • No stains consistent with semen were observed on ___.
Postive (nucleated) Microscopic (cellular material)
  • Nucleated cellular material was detected on _______.
Positive (no confirmation of nucleus) Microscopic (cellular material)
  • Cellular material was detected on_________ .
Negative Microscopic (cellular material)
  • No cellular material was detected on _____.
Unevaluated Microscopic (cellular material)
  • Swabs were collected from _______ and were preserved and retained in laboratory frozen storage.
*There are numerous preliminary color tests that can be used in forensic testing methods. The most common are noted; however, other preliminary color tests could be reported similarly.

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