Seratec PSA Semiquant
Definition
A lateral-flow PSA strip with a semi-quantitative band-intensity scale. Line intensity corresponds approximately to 1 ng/mL, 2 ng/mL, or greater concentrations, useful for comparing fresh versus aged stain extracts.
- Test type
- Lateral-flow immunochromatographic strip
- Target analyte
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA/p30)
- Reading scale
- Band intensity graded against ~1, 2 ng/mL reference lines
- Use case
- Comparing fresh versus aged semen stain extracts
Common questions
Is a strong band proof of a fresh stain?+
Not by itself. Band intensity is affected by extraction efficiency, dilution, and substrate as well as stain age, so intensity comparisons are used alongside case context rather than as a standalone dating method.
Can the semi-quantitative reading substitute for a confirmatory test?+
No. PSA is a presumptive-to-confirmatory marker for seminal fluid but is not species-specific to humans in all formulations, so a positive result is typically followed by microscopy or a second target such as semenogelin before reporting.
Related terms
- ABAcard P30 (HemaTrace P30)
- A lateral-flow immunochromatographic card that detects PSA at approximately 0.2-4 ng/mL of extract. Widely used in sexual assault kit triage because it...
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA / P30)
- A glycoprotein produced by the prostate gland and secreted into seminal plasma at high concentrations. The PSA immunochromatographic strip test is the...
- RSID-Semen
- Rapid Stain Identification of Semen: an immunochromatographic lateral-flow strip from Independent Forensics that detects semenogelin I and II with sensitivity to approximately...
- Semenogelin I and II
- High-molecular-weight proteins secreted by the seminal vesicles that form the semen coagulum immediately after ejaculation. PSA then cleaves them to liquefy the...
- Sensitivity and Specificity in Forensic Context
- Sensitivity is the probability of a positive result when semen is truly present; specificity is the probability of a negative result when...