A Preliminary Investigation Using p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate to Quantitate Acid Phosphatase on Swabs Examined in Cases of Sexual Assault

Abstract

A method for determining the level of acid phosphatase activity of material on cotton-wool swabs, used by police surgeons in cases of sexual assault, has been described. The results showed that it was particularly useful as an indication of the presence of seminal fluid in the absence of spermatozoa.