Compositions and Methods for Identifying Sperm for Forensic Applications

摘要

Methods and compositions for identifying and isolating sperm cells from samples containing multiple cell types are described. The methods and compositions employ antibodies that specifically bind to sperm-specific antigens located on or internal to the sperm plasma membrane. A reporter molecule may be conjugated to the antibodies to aid in the detection of sperm. The antibodies may be targeted to sperm-specific antigens in the head and/or tail of sperm to facilitate the identification and isolation of sperm cells from forensic samples prepared from sexual assault evidence. Purified DNA from the isolated sperm cells can be amplified by polymerase chain reaction to assist forensic analysis in sexual assault cases.