Quantitative acid phosphatase level and spermatozoa detection in vaginal fluid in relation to post coital interval; correlational study

Sexual violence can violate a person's trust and feeling of safety. More over sexual assault is traumatic experience for any women. Sexual offences are usually unwitnessed crimes and sometimes history of these crimes may be vague. The scientific proof of the alleged crime as well as determination of time of sexual assault is crucial in sexual crime investigation.

To correlate Acid phosphates levels (ACP) with Post coital interval (PCI) and sperm findings.

To study the usefulness of acid phosphatase levels over spermatozoa detection in vaginal fluid in relation to post coital interval.

Total 154 female patients were enrolled for the study. Married females with h/o recent sexual intercourse were included in the study. Patient was assisted to assume the dorsal position. Normal saline was flushed into vagina directed towards anterior, posterior, lateral vaginal walls and around external cervical os. Washings were collected with the same pipette from posterior vaginal fornix. Sample was then immediately transferred to sterile plain bulb for quantitative acid phosphatase level measurement. Smear were also prepared for sperm findings.

Total 154 cases were studied by pearson correlation, the negative significant correlation was found between ACP values and PCI. ACP values were found to be significant not only with smear findings of Intact and Head of spermatozoa, but also in smear findings of no spermatozoa.

ACP levels in vaginal fluid remain elevated for more period as compared to spermatozoa detection. Hence it can be used as a more predictive marker of post coital interval.