ABSTRACT
In the forensic science laboratory, the recovery of spermatozoa from vaginal swabs, or vaginal cells from penile swabs, can help determine if sexual intercourse may have taken place. There are several methods used to recover spermatozoa and cells from the swabs before visualisation on a microscope slide and most of these methods use water. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) is a non-toxic solution used in many biological laboratories. Unlike water, PBS prevents cells rupturing or shrivelling up due to osmosis. This study demonstrates that PBS can be used for the extraction of spermatozoa and cells from swabs and that PBS does not affect subsequent DNA profiling.
Subject(s)
Phosphates/chemistry , Sodium Chloride/chemistry , Spermatozoa , Buffers , DNA/analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Potassium Compounds/chemistry , Semen , Specimen Handling/methods , Vagina/cytologyABSTRACT
Constipation is often overlooked when it comes to assessing clients' needs. This paper, by a team caring for a group of clients with severe learning disabilities, looks at how constipation can be managed and calls for changes to be made in the care of patients experiencing this difficulty.
