The use of fluorescence in situ hybridisation and laser microdissection to identify and isolate male cells in an azoospermic sexual assault case

In cases of sexual assault where sperm are not present, preferential lysis fails to yield the DNA profile of the assailant. The Forensic Science Service® has developed a technique combining fluorescence in situ hybridisation and laser microdissection to enable the identification and isolation of male cells that may be present in azoospermic semen on vaginal swabs from victims of sexual assault. This technique has been used successfully by The Forensic Science Service® in a sexual assault case providing evidence for the assertion that the suspect had vaginal intercourse with the victim rather than he had not.