The laboratory's role in detecting sexual assault

Sexual assault, a crime of violence and control, is prevalent in the United States. Most of the victims are female and the assailants male. The crime usually is unwitnessed and, unfortunately, the majority of the assailants are never prosecuted. The number one reason for lack of prosecution is lack of demonstrative evidence, The most crucial evidence in court is that of the laboratory, used to prove or disprove the presence of semen. As clinical laboratory professionals, we bear great responsibility in the handling and interpretation of this evidence. With the discovery of better staining techniques, chemical analyses, and molecular pathology, we are now able to bring the laboratory into the courtroom and use our knowledge to bring positive proof against the assailant. We are obligated to the victim and the community to properly use this knowledge to document, process, and interpret the evidence to the best of our ability.