Biomaterial Database

The zinc test as an alternative for acid phosphatase spot tests in the primary identification of seminal traces. 1990

P J Hooft, and H P van de Voorde

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Belgium.

The value of the acid phosphatase spot test in the primary visualization and identification of seminal traces is hampered by the sensitiveness of the enzyme to biodegradation. An alternative spot test is proposed, based on the high concentration of the more stable zinc metal in seminal plasma. The proposed zinc spot test is simple and suitable for on site investigation. Although the sensitivity in fresh stains is lower than that of the acid phosphatase spot test, this is largely compensated by the lower sensitiveness to biodegradation. The specificity for semen is higher than that of the acid phosphatase spot test. In vaginal swabs it was nevertheless seen, that samples should be taken within 24 h after alleged sexual assault to give reliable results.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011237	Predictive Value of Tests	In screening and diagnostic tests, the probability that a person with a positive test is a true positive (i.e., has the disease), is referred to as the predictive value of a positive test; whereas, the predictive value of a negative test is the probability that the person with a negative test does not have the disease. Predictive value is related to the sensitivity and specificity of the test.	Negative Predictive Value,Positive Predictive Value,Predictive Value Of Test,Predictive Values Of Tests,Negative Predictive Values,Positive Predictive Values,Predictive Value, Negative,Predictive Value, Positive
D003075	Coitus	The sexual union of a male and a female, a term used for human only.	Sexual Intercourse,Coital Frequency,First Intercourse,Coital Frequencies,First Intercourses,Frequencies, Coital,Frequency, Coital,Intercourse, First,Intercourse, Sexual,Intercourses, First
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000135	Acid Phosphatase	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.2.	Acid beta-Glycerophosphatase,Acid beta Glycerophosphatase
D012661	Semen	The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. In addition to reproductive organ secretions, it contains SPERMATOZOA and their nutrient plasma.	Seminal Plasma,Plasma, Seminal
D014626	Vaginal Smears	Collection of pooled secretions of the posterior vaginal fornix for cytologic examination.	Cervical Smears,Cervical Smear,Smear, Cervical,Smear, Vaginal,Smears, Cervical,Smears, Vaginal,Vaginal Smear
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.