It is routine for the forensic scientist to obtain a genetic profile of an individual from DNA recovered from a biological stain deposited at a crime scene. In contrast, only a limited number of laboratories in the United States have the capability of performing Y-STR analysis in casework. In order to aid in facilitating the transfer of Y-STR technology to the crime laboratory community for operational use, a comparison between commercial products from three main vendors (Applied Biosystems AmpFLSTR Yfiler PCR Amplification Kit, Promega PowerPlex - Y System, Reliagene Y-PLEX 12) and two in-house Y-STR multiplexes (MPI and MPB) commenced. The main intention for this comparison was to ascertain whether commercial Y-STR kits are able to obtain a male profile from difficult samples which have been accomplished with our in-house Y-STR multiplexes; such as mixtures, post coital specimens, and environmental insults. To aid the crime laboratory community an in depth comparison of the three main commercial Y-STR kits began in hopes to glean information in circumstances where Y chromosome polymorphisms may need to be employed. For example, the ability to provide investigators with the numbers of semen donors in multiple rape cases, identification of the genetic profile of the male component in a male/female mixture, and identification of the genetic profile of the male component in an extended interval post-coital sample. The capability of typing Y-STR loci by the crime laboratory community could dramatically affect the admissibility of Y-STR evidence. Therefore, the comparison of commercially available kits is an imperative process by which the scientific community acquires the necessary information to assess the ability of a procedure to obtain reliable results, determine the conditions under which such results can be obtained and define the limitations of the procedure. Thus the information for the study could lend itself to a standard being established amongst Y-STR kits for operational use and/or the production of a new Y-STR kit. One example of how the comparison of the three main commercial Y-STR kits could directly impact a new standard being established is by examining post-coital samples and their extreme limits (>48 hrs) for each kit in which a full male genetic profile was observed and comparing it to other commercial Y-STR kit and in-house Y-STR multiplexes. This would help establish the types of cases where specific Y-STR kits would be most useful, and the parameters in which each kit is able to perform. Thus leading to the development of a highly sensitive Y-STR kit that would be more sufficient to perform with the variety of samples an operational crime laboratory would routinely analyze. The capability of typing Y-STR loci by the crime laboratory community could dramatically affect the admissibility of Y-STR evidence. Therefore, the comparison of commercially available kits is an imperative process in order to inform the forensic community of different Y-STR kits available and their performance through direct comparison using modified SWGDAM validation guidelines.

In the field of forensic biology, the term “time since intercourse (TSI)” is used to describe the approximate time elapsed between an alleged sexual assault and the collection of a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit (SAECK) from a victim. The estimation of TSI, or Post Coital Interval (PCI), can be crucial information for particular cases in which the time between offense and the collection of a SAECK is in question. Oftentimes, forensic scientists must evaluate the significance of biological test results from evidence in SAECKs, but the variability in current literature complicates interpreting these results. Developing a reliable framework to estimate TSI based on a more extensive review of forensic casework would provide investigators with a fundamental tool for estimating a general timeline in which the offense occurred. This information may play an important role in supporting or refuting a narrative, or weighing the significance of the evidence at hand. This study aims to develop a dependable framework for estimating TSI in living victims based on casework received by Boston Police Department (BPD) Crime Laboratory, Boston, MA. Additionally, this study seeks to determine if any significance exists between the victim’s reported post coital activities and the collection of evidence, including the presence of intact sperm cells. The need to expand research on estimating TSI for sexual assault victims using actual forensic casework is crucial to provide a more reliable method for TSI estimation, compared to previous studies, which have generally been based on fertility studies. Between the years of 2009 and 2017, over 1,800 reported SAECKs were submitted to the Boston Police Department for evidence processing. More than 500 of these kits met the qualifications for this study, including: a living victim, smear slides prepared by a medical professional, and the identification of sperm cells during original kit processing. In order to estimate TSI, the smear slides from these cases were microscopically examined for the presence of intact sperm cells with the aid of Kernechtrot Picroindigocarmine (KPIC) stain. Based on casework received by the BPD, the maximum TSI reported for observing intact spermatozoa on vaginal smear slides was 105 hours, with an average collection time of 15 hours. The maximum TSI in which intact spermatozoa were observed on anorectal smear slides was 17.75 hours, with an average collection time of 7.9 hours. The average collection time in which intact spermatozoa on oral smear slides were observed was 6.9 hours, with a maximum reported TSI of 13.5 hours. Moreover, data from this study indicates a positive relationship between the total number of post coital activities completed before kit collection and the passage of time. Overall, this study provides reliable evidence based on actual casework samples for more accurately estimating the timeframe in which sperm evidence can be recovered after intercourse in living victims of sexual assault crimes.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A contracepÃÃo de emergÃncia (CE) à um mÃtodo que evita a gravidez apÃs a relaÃÃo sexual. TambÃm conhecido por âpÃlula pÃs-coitoâ, esse mÃtodo utiliza progestogÃnio na forma concentrada e tem indicaÃÃo reservada Ãs situaÃÃes especiais ou de exceÃÃo, tais como falha conhecida ou presumida, uso inadequado e relaÃÃo sexual sem uso de mÃtodo contraceptivo, bem como em casos de violÃncia sexual. Descrever e analisar o nÃvel de conhecimento e a utilizaÃÃo da CE de usuÃrias do ServiÃo de Atendimento FarmacÃutico (SAC FARMA), de uma Rede de FarmÃcias ComunitÃrias em Fortaleza, CearÃ. Entre os meses de outubro de 2008 a maio de 2009, apÃs o esclarecimento de informaÃÃes sobre pÃlula pÃs-coito atravÃs do SAC FARMA, mulheres usuÃrias ou que tinham intenÃÃo de uso da CE, foram convidadas a participar da pesquisa sobre uso de CE. Para tanto, foi aplicado um questionÃrio e os dados foram incluÃdos no programa estatÃstico SPSS, versÃo 15.0. Das 54 entrevistas feitas, a maioria das mulheres estavam entre a faixa etÃria de 23 e 29 anos de idade (44,4%), solteiras (66,7%) e residentes no Estado do Cearà (66,7%). Tinham renda entre 1 e 3 salÃrios mÃnimos (48,1%) e cursavam ensino mÃdio (50,0%) e superior (42,6%). Pretendiam fazer uso ou utilizaram CE sem orientaÃÃo/prescriÃÃo mÃdica (92,6%) e a maioria (54%) obteve alguma informaÃÃo sobre CE atravÃs de amigos e familiares. Mais da metade (64,8%) afirmou que nÃo era a primeira vez de uso, sendo que 82% relataram utilizar uma ou duas vezes. Com relaÃÃo ao conhecimento sobre o risco de diminuiÃÃo de eficÃcia caso houvesse repetiÃÃo do uso, a maioria (64%) relatou desconhecer essa informaÃÃo. Relataram nenhuma reaÃÃo ou queixa (72%) e 98,1% conheciam outro mÃtodo contraceptivo, sendo o preservativo o mais conhecido (92,6%) e utilizado (84%). Um dos principais motivos para justificar a utilizaÃÃo da CE foi o sexo desprotegido (53,7%). Quando perguntadas atà quanto tempo apÃs a relaÃÃo sexual o mÃtodo pode ser utilizado, a maioria respondeu que pode ser atà 72 horas (56,3%), 25% nÃo souberam responder e 65,6% relataram que a âPÃlula do Dia Seguinteâ nÃo possui efeito abortivo. A maioria das mulheres avaliadas pretendia fazer uso ou utilizar a CE sem orientaÃÃo/prescriÃÃo mÃdica, obteve informaÃÃes sobre a pÃlula atravÃs de amigos e familiares e, alÃm disso, nÃo tinha conhecimento sobre o risco de diminuiÃÃo de eficÃcia se o uso for repetitivo. Estes fatos alertam para que se tenha uma maior preocupaÃÃo em relaÃÃo à possibilidade de uso indevido do medicamento e seu fÃcil acesso nas farmÃcias comerciais. / The emergency contraceptive pill (EC) is a method of the emergency contraception that prevents pregnancy after sexual intercourse. It is also known as the âpost coital pillâ and contains high dose progestin-hormone. The EC can be taken immediately or up to five days after sex if the woman did not use birth control, in cases of suspected birth control failure, or if she was forced to have sex. To describe the level of knowledge and use of EC by users of the Medicine Attendance Service (SAC FARMA) in a network of community pharmacies placed in Fortaleza, CearÃ. In the months October (2008) to May (2009), after each enquiry about the âpost coital pillâ, women who were using or intended to use this pill were invited to participate in a survey on the use of emergency contraception by the application of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with the statistical program SPSS, version 15.0. Of the 54 women interviewed, the majority were aged between 23 and 29 years (44.4%), were single (66.7%) and resident in the State of Cearà (66.7%). (48.1%) had income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, 50,0% higher secondary education and 42.6% had higher education.). Almost all (92,6%) wished to use or have used EC without guidance/prescription and of these the majority (54%) obtained some information about EC through friends and family. More than half (64.8%) said it was not their first time of use, and 82% reported using EC once or twice previously. With respect to knowledge about the risk of loss of effectiveness if the use is repetitive, the majority (64%) were unaware of this information. Most (72%) reported no adverse reaction or other complaints. Also, 98.1% of interviewed reported that they knew other method of contraception, being the condom the most widely known (92.6%) and used (84%). One of the main reasons to justify the use of EC was unprotected sex (53.7%). When asked for how long after intercourse the method can be used, most answered within 72 hours (56.3%), 25% did not respond and 65.6% reported that "post coital pill" has no abortive effect. Most of the women studied wanted to use the EC without prescription and obtained information about EC pill from friends and family. Moreover most women had no knowledge about the risk of reduced effectiveness if the use is repetitive. These findings are of concern as they indicate the possibility of misuse of the EC given its easy access in pharmacies.