The detection of sperm and separation of sperm cells from the victim’s DNA is crucial to identifying and characterizing the perpetrator’s DNA profile. Improved automation of sperm detection and separation will enable more rape kits to be processed in a timely manner to help solve sexual assault crimes more effectively. Traditionally sperm cells are identified visually in evidentiary samples through light microscopy. New techniques are under development to aid improved visualization of sperm heads and tails with fluorescent staining as well as sperm cell isolation through laser capture microdissection.

From research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice

Current projects

Laser Microdissection as a Technique to Isolate Sperm Cells and Improve the Analysis of Touch Evidence
The Bode Technology Group, Inc.
Award Number: 2006-DN-BX-K032

Separation of Sperm and Epithelial Cells in a Microfluidic Device: An Automated Method for High Efficiency, High Purity Separations
University of Virginia
Award Number: 2006-DN-BX-K021

Development of a Procedure for Dielectrophoretic Separation of Sperm and Epithelial Cells for Application to Sexual Assault Case Evidence
California Department of Justice
Award Number: 2005-DA-BX-K001

Development of an Automated System to Detect Spermatozoa on Laboratory Slides to Increase Productivity in the Analysis of Sexual Assault Cases
Vermont Department of Public Safety
Award Number: 2004-DN-BX-K003

Sperm Paint Optimization and Validation
University of Virginia
Award Number: 2000-IJ-CX-K013

Recently Closed

Development of a High-Throughput Method to Isolate Sperm DNA in Rape Kit
Connecticut Department of Public Safety
Award Number: 2003-IJ-CX-K103
Final Report (pdf)

Laser Microdissection Separation of Pure Spermatozoa Populations From Mixed Cell Samples for Forensic DNA Analysis
Rosalind Franklin University
Award Number: 2004-DN-BX-K215
Final Report (pdf)

Journal Articles

From research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice

Laser microdissection separation of pure spermatozoa from epithelial cells for short tandem repeat analysis
Sanders CT, Sanches N, Ballantyne J, Peterson DA
J Forensic Sci. 2006 Jul;51(4):748-57
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 20004-DN-BX-K215