The detection of female DNA from the penis in sexual assault cases

Kaarstad, Katrin; Rohde, Marianne; Larsen, Jakob; Eriksen, Birthe; Thomsen, Jørgen L.

doi:10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.05.003

« Previous Next »Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 14, Issue 3 , Pages 159-160, April 2007

The detection of female DNA from the penis in sexual assault cases

Katrin Kaarstad
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Winsloewparken 17, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
Marianne Rohde
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Peter Sabroes Gade 15, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Jakob Larsen
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V’s Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Birthe Eriksen
- Department of Forensic Genetics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V’s Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Jørgen L. Thomsen
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Winsloewparken 17, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +45 6550 3001; fax: +45 6591 6227.

Received 14 March 2006; received in revised form 2 May 2006; accepted 10 May 2006.

Abstract

An investigation was performed with the aim of assessing the success rate of the examination of penile swabs or imprints for the detection of the female DNA profile. Two hundred twenty seven cases from a 3-year period were retrospectively reviewed. In 57% of the cases, no suitable material was available. Of the remaining 97 cases, 26 provided a DNA profile from the female victim. It is concluded that although the total success rate is low, it is worthwhile performing the examination, especially if there is a short interval between the alleged sexual assault and the examination.

Keywords: Penis, Vaginal cells, DNA, Sexual assault