Publication

Forensic value of the Lugol's staining method: further studies on glycogenated epithelium in the male urinary tract

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 1, 1994

Units
PubMed

Citation
Hausmann R, Schellmann B. Forensic value of the Lugol's staining method: further studies on glycogenated epithelium in the male urinary tract. Int J Legal Med 1994; 107:147-51.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Int J Legal Med 1994; 107
Publication Date
Jan 1, 1994
Issn Print
0937-9827
Pages
147-51
Brief description/objective

This study presents findings from a series of investigations on the presence of glycogenated epithelium in the male urinary tract and on the penile surface in order to assess the forensic value of the Lugol's method for the identification of vaginal cells. Direct smears obtained from the urethral opening, glans penis, and penile shaft, along with post-mortem samples of the fossa navicularis, and histological sections of the penis were examined. The presence of polygonal, glycogenated, Lugol-positive epithelium cells in the male urinary tract was found to be common. Our results suggest that these cells originate from the fossa navicularis. Because of the possibility of exfoliation of glycogenated male cells and transfer to the penile surface a Lugol-positive reaction in epithelial cells on penile swabs can no longer be assumed to prove the presence of vaginal cells.