Seminal Fluid & The Failed Sexual Assault Investigation

Homicide of Merdith Kercher

Tribune of Perugia

Additional personal observations regarding the pillow case

of the pillow found below the body of the deceased

Prof. Francesco Vinci

Professor of Legal Medicine, Forensic Pathology,

Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Techniques

University of Studies of Bari

Section of Legal Medicine (Di.M.I.M.P.)

The Homicide of Meredith Kercher- Tribune of Perugia- Considerations of Prof. Francesco Vinci- University of Studies of Bari

INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE SCIENTIFIC POLICE OF ROME

ON THE DATE OF THE 25TH OF MAY 2009

One notes two distinct traces apparently of the same aspect different from the obvious signs of blood

Top (A)

This enlargement better shows the characteristics of the two stains in question

The examination with the Crimescope shows the intense fluorescence of the stains

Filter 475- bandwidth 45 nm

The enlargement of the image (showing the relief and formations of the edges) clearly shows the presence of hidden characteristics of the stain

The further processing of the image (delineating border areas and assigning colors) shows that the stains can be clearly distinguished by five zones

These elements lead us to believe that in fact it is through five distinct moments of affixing of the substance that produced the stains: stain 2 is in fact over-laying 1 and 5 is over-laying 4.

At this point: What is the nature of the

substance which is creating the stain?

It is evident that a certain answer can only be derived by carrying out a laboratory test.

But we can formulate an hypothesis based on observation.

Compendium of the characteristics of the observed stains:

– limited dimensions: Max cm 3×2;

– color observed by eye: white-yellow;

– irregular and jagged edges (like on a geographical map);

– intense fluorescence with observation with Crimescope;

All of these are strongly indicative of sperm.

4. Sperm

In certain cases of carnal rape or libidinous acts it can be necessary to compute tests for the presumed traces of sperm.

On the garments or other permeable fabrics sperm assumes the aspect of a whitish-yellow stain, denser and darker at the edges, with sinuous borders (like a geographical map); on objects or non-permeable fabrics dried sperm presents itself instead in the form of very light grey scales, with little adhesion. With light (ultraviolet) of Wood (produced by use of a mercury vapor lamp, using a filtration with oxidized nickel with glass), the stains show a bluish fluorescence, which allows a quick orientation: especially when they are small or situated on a dirty fabric or on a color similar to them.

For a more precise diagnosis one must however proceed with further analysis, by using other methods.

The interpretation of this segment (with respect to the density of the liquid) gives us another element which confirms the diagnosis of sperm:

General physical characteristics

Immediately after emission the spermatic fluid coagulates, but with a gelatinous consistency and with a milky whitish color; it also has a characteristic odor which comes from the oxidization of the sperm cells. Within a few minutes of emission, the process of dissolution occurs from the coagulation and refluidification is completed generally within 20-30 minutes by means of the prostatic seminal plasma enzymes which split the seminal plasma and together with numerous other enzymes which are: lysozyme, alphachimotripsin, hyalurondinase, etc…

Sperm thus acquires a translucent aspect more or less opalescent depending on, largely, the cellular contents. After the complete liquefaction it is possible to give a value to the viscosity of the liquid, by putting into a test tube: sperm at normal viscosity coagulates slowly, drop by drop, the formation of filaments indicates an augmented viscosity. The notable augmentation of the viscosity is apparently due to an enzymatic process which involves the fibrinolysin and the fibrinogenase and infers more than anything nemaspermatic mobility. A diminution of viscosity, with the watery aspect of seminal plasma, is accompanied on the other hand, very often with oligospermia.

USEFUL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION:

1) What time do the the stains date back to?

The stains from our objective point of view can no longer be reliably dated by any method, nor by the means of elaboration by the laboratory tests conducted.

Evidence to that effect would have had to have been made by an examination carried out during the time of the discovery of the corpse, by analyzing the degree humidity of the stain.

In order to measure the degree of humidity of the stain one would have used a simple hygrometer for cloth

Of course, this is based on the assumption that the spots were already identified during the initial and early stages of the inspection. The occurrence of this in this case is more than clear given that the stains were enhanced with the Crimescope which were more than visible to the naked eye.

From these images the stains in question are clearly shown situated exactly in front of the genital region of Kercher

Brief notes on the physiology of male ejaculation

Ejaculation (the mecchanism which allows the exiting of sperm through the urethra of the penis) can be subdivided in two phases:

The first phase, i.e. the emission, takes place through the contraction of the internal organs and comes immediately before the actual ejaculation. In other words , this contraction of the interior apparatus, brings together the various components of semen ( sperm and the prostate fluid) and transfers the liquid to the bulbar urethra immediately before orgasm, to allow the mechanism to expel externally ejaculatory sperm.

The root of the penis, where it engages in the pelvic floor, is surrounded by strong striated muscles which wrap around this part of the penis. During the ejaculatory orgasm, there is a series of involuntary contractions of these muscles.

It is exactly these contractions that represent the drive motor of the ejaculation, squeezing the root of the penis and urethra, causing the expulsion of the semen in successive jets and in progressively lower quantities.

Taking into account these elementary notions of the physiology of ejaculation we justifiably note that the stains in question are in exact accordance with this mechanism.

In fact, this view is supported by:

– The overlapping of the spots;

– The different sizes of these.

In accordance with the decreasing size of the spots, it could also be envisaged that they were affixed in the following order:

4-5-3-1-2

Therefore in Conclusion:

– The spots we identified are very likely made of sperm;

– It is not possible to state the dating of the tracks;

– Ejaculation occurred outside of the vagina of Kercher;

– It is possible still today to verify the nature of the traces in question in the laboratory (by means of DNA Research)

The observation of the pillowcase under court sequestration using the Crimescope lighting system, highlighted another important finding:

One can see very luminescent traces, which are absolutely not visible to the naked eye

You can see more clearly the tracks we have highlighted

The enlargement shows with greater clarity the other traces revealed through the observation using Crimescope

The morphology of these traces (shown with the Crimescope), show with sufficient definition a particularity of the plantar part of the sole of the left shoe of the Nike model Outbreak 2 size 44.5 which we used for more tests. The overlaying of the traces with the sole of the shoe is strongly demonstrative with regard to:

This track (highlighted with Crimescope), by integrating our consultation on the shoe prints on the pillow) must therefore be placed in relation to one of the fifth placements (footprint n.3) of a plantare portion of part of a sole of a left shoe, Nike brand model Outbreak 2.

Shoeprint no. 2

Shoeprint no. 3

Shoeprint no. 1

Thank you for your attention