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Seminal zinc as a screening instrument for the preliminary identification of semen traces
Forensic Science Forensic Science International 65 (1994) 65-66
Book Review Seminal zinc as a screening instrument for the preliminary identification of semen traces, thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of ‘Doctor
in de Medische Wetenschappen’ by Peter J. Hooft. Leuven University Press, Leuven, Belgium, 1992, pp. 133 (395.00 BFr) ISBN 90 61 86 5190 This monograph is divided into four parts. Part 1 provides a short history of forensic involvement in sexual assault investigation. Part 2 introduces acid phosphatase and zinc and their occurrence in semen. Part 3 constitutes the major part of the book and describes the development of a zinc test from a technique suggested by Suzuki in 1983 which is a spot test based on a colour reaction. The modified test performed on paper strips is claimed by the author to be an improvement on the original test. Its sensitivity in comparison with acid phosphatase tests has been investigated, showing evidence of far greater sensitivity being achieved with the acid phosphatase test. Specificity was also compared using the two tests with different biological fluids, semen from different species of animals, fruits and vegetables, fish and meat from a number of animal sources, food products, beverages, herbs, spices, cosmetics and household products. Also in this section, the author reports the results of investigations of possible interference of the zinc test with subsequent forensic analysis and studies on vaginal swabs taken in clinical practice from over 400 women where the microscopical findings concerning spermatozoa were known. Similar comparison using zinc and acid phosphatase screening were performed on nearly 200 items of evidence material, and finally the predictive value of tests is evaluated. Part 4 provides a general discussion and conclusions covering the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed test, its potential for interference with further forensic investigations and a strategy for screening and investigation of semen traces in sexual assault evidence. Finally the author provides an extensive test of some 200 references. The monograph provides information on a specific area of a very specialised subject but it is also a text for which those who need to consider this micro area should be aware. Dr Patrick J. Lincoln Department of Haematology The London Hospital Medical College Turner St London El 2AD, UK SSDI 0379-0738(93)01412-K
Book Review Seminal zinc as a screening instrument for the preliminary identification of semen traces, thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of ‘Doctor
in de Medische Wetenschappen’ by Peter J. Hooft. Leuven University Press, Leuven, Belgium, 1992, pp. 133 (395.00 BFr) ISBN 90 61 86 5190 This monograph is divided into four parts. Part 1 provides a short history of forensic involvement in sexual assault investigation. Part 2 introduces acid phosphatase and zinc and their occurrence in semen. Part 3 constitutes the major part of the book and describes the development of a zinc test from a technique suggested by Suzuki in 1983 which is a spot test based on a colour reaction. The modified test performed on paper strips is claimed by the author to be an improvement on the original test. Its sensitivity in comparison with acid phosphatase tests has been investigated, showing evidence of far greater sensitivity being achieved with the acid phosphatase test. Specificity was also compared using the two tests with different biological fluids, semen from different species of animals, fruits and vegetables, fish and meat from a number of animal sources, food products, beverages, herbs, spices, cosmetics and household products. Also in this section, the author reports the results of investigations of possible interference of the zinc test with subsequent forensic analysis and studies on vaginal swabs taken in clinical practice from over 400 women where the microscopical findings concerning spermatozoa were known. Similar comparison using zinc and acid phosphatase screening were performed on nearly 200 items of evidence material, and finally the predictive value of tests is evaluated. Part 4 provides a general discussion and conclusions covering the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed test, its potential for interference with further forensic investigations and a strategy for screening and investigation of semen traces in sexual assault evidence. Finally the author provides an extensive test of some 200 references. The monograph provides information on a specific area of a very specialised subject but it is also a text for which those who need to consider this micro area should be aware. Dr Patrick J. Lincoln Department of Haematology The London Hospital Medical College Turner St London El 2AD, UK SSDI 0379-0738(93)01412-K