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New Article highlights a more Effective Method for Analyzing Sexual Assault EvidenceWILLOW GROVE, Pa. --(Business Wire)-- Dr. Christian Westring, Director of Criminalistics and Quality Manager at NMS Labs, along with fellow scientists at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, studied the effectiveness of SPERM HY-LITER™ for the identification of sperm cells from sexual assault evidence. Their findings were recently published in the Forensic Science International: Genetics. The identification on spermatozoa and/or seminal fluid from sexual assault evidence is crucial in the aspect of criminal justice. Since the presence of spermatozoa can greatly affect the outcome of a case, a lot of time and resources are dedicated to the confirmatory identification of spermatozoa. However, traditional staining methods lack specificity and sensitivity, making the process time consuming and prone to error, particularly in complx casework. The study compared SPERM HY-LITER™ and the Baecchi's staining method. Through the course of rigorous validation and testing of thousands of sexual assault samples, they found that the SPERM HY-LITER™ method was more successful at detecting spermatozoa from sexual assault evidence. While some of the results were comparable between the two methods, SPERM HY-LITER™ was more effective at detecting spermatozoa from both routine and complex casework samples when the Baecchi's failed to confirm the presence of spermatozoa. SPERM HY-LITER™ could also help in the identification of spermatozoa in degraded and otherwise compromised samples where only minimal quantities of sperm cell remained. As an added benefit, the SPERM HY-LITER™ method significantly decreased the time necessary to process these samples in the laboratory. "Given some of the limitations of examining samples using traditional staining methods," says Dr. Westring, "recognizing a method with improved specificity and effectiveness for the identification of spermatozoa from sexual assault evidence would be a great advantage to the forensic science community." The study collected samples and subsequent data through the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. Through his research, Dr. Westring has seen the benefits using SPERM HY-LITER™ and has since implemented the method at NMS Labs. To request an electronic copy of the article, please visit http://www.nmslabs.com/publications. About NMS Labs: NMS Labs is an ASCLD/LAB International (ISO 17025) accredited laboratory that is unsurpassed in its scope, accuracy of results, scientific expertise, and innovation. The state-of-the-art facilities include clinical, forensic and research capabilities, dedicated and secure crime laboratories, and are staffed by more than 250 highly trained professionals. NMS Labs is passionate about promoting public health and safety. To learn more about NMS Labs, please visit www.nmslabs.com.
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