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Persistence of Polydimethylsiloxane Condom Lubricants
Author(s) -
Tottey Leah S.,
Coulson Sally A.,
Wevers Gerhard E.,
Fabian Laura,
McClelland Heather,
Dustin Mickayla
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13816
Subject(s) - polydimethylsiloxane , vagina , persistence (discontinuity) , sexual assault , penis , condom , materials science , medicine , poison control , composite material , surgery , injury prevention , syphilis , virology , medical emergency , geotechnical engineering , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , engineering
Polydimethylsiloxane ( PDMS ) is commonly used to lubricate condoms. The detection of PDMS on swabs from complainants can be used to support an allegation of sexual assault. Previous research has focused on establishing analytical techniques for detecting PDMS . This research examined the persistence of PDMS on the penis, in the vagina, in the mouth, and on skin. The longest PDMS detection times were 20 h on the penis, 35 h in the vagina, and 52 h on skin. PDMS was detected up to 4 h in the mouth if the participant did not eat or drink and up to 9 h if the participant slept. PDMS was not detected in the mouth after eating or drinking. The presence of biological fluids had no detrimental effect on the analysis. Aqueous extraction of swabs for DNA did not remove any significant amount of PDMS ; hence, swab remains could be subsequently analyzed for PDMS .