Established 1998
When the results count!
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Established 1998 When the results count!
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InfidelIDSM Semen Detection and Infidelity Testing Private and Legal Paternity Testing What a paternity test looks like Mobile Collection Services in NJ
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Semen detection and DNA analysis for infidelity The types of samples we receive often have been extensively handled by the submitters and many have come in contact with other items that have DNA on them. Things like fingers, sheets, towels, other laundry items that can transfer DNA-containing epithelial cells from other people to the items submitted for testing. Many items submitted have very checkered histories of handling. Isolation of total DNA collects DNA from sperm cells, cells shed in the seminal fluid from the prostate and urethra, as well as cells transferred by contact with other items. Another problem with privately-submitted samples is that sometimes there are discrepancies regarding the conditions under which the items were collected or stored prior to submission. Laboratories have the option to test for total DNA, which may actually provide too much information that can be misinterpreted resulting from the detection of DNA from contact sources or a utilize a more specific technique known as "differential lysis". Many laboratories opt to utilize differential lysis which separates sperm cells from all other cells (epithelial cells from all sources, including contact sources). The sperm cells are desorbed and collected, the DNA extracted then analyzed. This approach ensures that the DNA profiles are from the intended source and produce a more specific, reliable result. When abundant sperm cells are present DNA profiling is robust and very reliable. Extraneous DNA profiles from incidental contact DNA can be easily eliminated from consideration as a primary source of DNA, even with isolation of total DNA. Sperm cells lose their tails in a few days and if conditions are sub-optimal, they may even burst and release their DNA, leaving no intact sperm heads. This occurs over time anyway. Moisture encourages microbial growth and bacteria can degrade DNA rapidly which can compromise results even if abundant sperm WERE present. Vasectomized and sterile (aspermic) men do not have sperm; however, cells sloughed off in the genito-urinary tract often provide enough epithelial cells to detect DNA. While we can analyze DNA from vasectomized men using a total DNA isolation technique, those results may also contain genetic information from various other contact sources. For example, we often detect the submitter's DNA in profiles generated using the total DNA technique that was likely deposited from handling the area tested even though they were not involved as a sexual partner for weeks prior to collecting the sample submitted for testing. Since both the aspermic donor and any extraneous contact DNA may be present in similar amounts, interpretation with regard to "context" of how and why the particular DNAs were deposited on the suspicious item may be questionable. These results should be interpreted with great caution because the results are often the basis for life-changing decisions. This laboratory prefers to reject samples containing samples from known vasectomized or otherwise aspermic men so the results will be consistent and reliable rather than report a result that might be interpreted out of context. We realize that not all vasectomized men will be known beforehand and we will consult with the client if we suspect this is the case so the results will be interpreted with appropriate caution on a case by case basis. Our laboratory also rejects samples that are acid phosphatase negative. Acid phosphatase detection is good screening test for the presumptive presence of semen, although not perfect. Samples collected soon after suspected infidelity (as most are), even if stored for sometime, are highly likely to be acid phosphatase positive, so this is a good presumptive screen for semen. PSA is also a good screen for this; however, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, females on oral contraceptives can produce significant amounts of PSA in their urine, which might confound this test to some degree if the samples are concentrated, depending on the testing methodology. We do not recommend testing of samples that are acid phosphatase or PSA negative so you do not spend money on testing samples that are probably negative for semen. Since infidelity usually occurs in some behavioral pattern, it is preferred that a sample is acid phosphatase or PSA positive be submitted or followed-up for DNA testing. This is a pre-screen for DNA testing to ensure you don't waste your money chasing DNA on a probable negative sample and detecting only incidental DNAs from contact transfers made during storage and handling prior to receipt at the laboratory. The reason is that "context" is lost from these samples. In other words, you will have a DNA result that may be outside the context of infidelity (incidental DNA profiles from extraneous contact sources). DNA from when semen or sperm cells are present, is more definitive proof of infidelity. Experienced labs which have seen thousands of these types of cases understand that it is better to reject a poor sample than to report a poor result. |
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IDNA Systems, Inc.
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