The Significance of Spermatozoa in Victims of Sexual Offences.

Factual information for the use of the doctor called upon to give evidence in court after examining the victim of an alleged sexual attack is considered on the basis of an extensive review of the literature and of years of experience by the staff of the Attorney-General's Laboratory for Ontario. This experience emphasizes the need for immediate examination of fluid from the vaginal pool for motility of the spermatozoa and the need for a later examination for delayed bruising of the victim. Motile spermatozoa are found in the vagina for one-half to six hours, with an average time of three hours. Non-motile forms usually are found for seven to 12 hours, but exceptionally for 18 to 24 hours. Data relative to the survival of spermatozoa under various conditions are tabulated.