University of Cagayan Valley

School of Criminology

Anacio, Dean Mark A.

BS Criminology 3A
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY
(1:00-3:00pm Th/1:00-4:00pm F)

1. What is semen?
Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is an organic fluid created to contain spermatozoa. It is
secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals
and can fertilize the female ovum.

2. What are the parts of the semen?

Most of the fluid in semen is made up of secretions from male reproductive organs. Semen
contains citric acid, free amino acids, fructose, enzymes, phosphorylcholine, prostaglandin,
potassium, and zinc.
• 46 to 80 per cent of the fluid is produced by the seminal vesicles
• 13 to 33 per cent by the prostate gland
• 5 per cent from the testicles and epididymis
• 2-5 percent from Bulbourethral and urethral glands

a) Seminal Fluid
b) Formed Cellular elements which includes:
• Spermatozoa or sperm cells 400-500 million per single ejaculation
• Epithelial Cells
• Crystal of Choline and lecithin

3. What are the four major examinations for semen and seminal stains? Explain.
a) Physical Examination
This test is done through observing the physical appearance of a semen. The physical
features include; color, texture, and presence in cloth or other materials.
b) Chemical Examination
• Florence test – for detection of choline (seminal origin)
• Barberio’s test – for deletion of spermine (prostates origin)
• Acid phosphatase test – for deletion of acid phosphate (prostates origin)
c) Microscopic Examination
Initial microscopic examination of semen is first done using 100X magnification.
Observe mucous strand formation, sperm aggregation, and/or sperm agglutination. Non-
specific aggregation of spermatozoa should be recorded but is usually not clinically
significant.
To determine the presence of spermatozoa.
d) Biological Examination
As semen samples can show substantial variation, a minimum of 2 properly collected
and transported samples, ideally collected over 2 spermatogenic cycles, should be
examined at 37°C. This may unnecessarily prolong the investigation for patients and is
recommended only if there is a recent insult to spermatogenesis.

4. What is the difference between oligospermia and aspermia?

Aspermia is a condition wherein a male has a complete absence of seminal fluid emission
upon ejaculation. On the other hand, oligospermia is a condition of a male having an abnormally
low sperm count.
5. How is the mode of collecting, preserving, packaging and transmitting of semen and seminal stains?
Document the semen evidence by notes, photography, videotape and sketching.
Use a clean syringe or disposable pipette to transfer liquid semen to a clean, sterile test
tube. Label the tube with the case and item number, date, time, location, and name of the collector.
Keep the specimen refrigerated and submit to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Alternatively, liquid semen can be transferred onto clean cotton cloth by absorption. The
cloth is then air dried, packaged, sealed and labeled properly.
Seminal stains on panties, clothing, bedsheets, pillows and other movable objects should be
collected as is. If an article has a wet stain on it, the stain must be allowed to air dry thoroughly
prior to collection of the article. If the stain is on a large object that can be cut, then the stained
area should be cut using a scalpel or scissors. If the stain is on immovable, nonabsorbent surfaces,
then the stain should be scrapped using a clean scalpel onto clean paper, and fold the paper into
a druggist fold container.
Each item should be packaged separately in a clean paper container. Each item’s packaging
must be properly sealed and labeled.
Packaged items should be refrigerated if possible, and submitted to the laboratory as soon
as possible.