Seratec PSA Semiquant
Semiquantitative immunochromatographic lateral flow assay for the forensic identification of prostate-specific antigen (PSA/p30) in biological stain extracts. For forensic use only.
Forensic PSA Identification
The Seratec PSA Semiquant is an immunochromatographic rapid test for the semiquantitative detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), also known as p30, in biological stain extracts. PSA is produced by the prostate gland and is present in seminal plasma at concentrations substantially higher than in any other body fluid, making it the established immunochemical marker for forensic semen identification.
PSA Semiquant delivers reliable, reproducible results within approximately 10 minutes of sample application — supporting high-throughput forensic evidence screening without specialist instrumentation. The semiquantitative format provides an indication of PSA concentration, enabling practitioners to triage and prioritise exhibits for downstream DNA analysis.
A key forensic advantage of PSA-based detection is that it identifies semen irrespective of sperm cell presence — providing positive results from azoospermic and vasectomised donors where sperm-cell microscopy would be uninformative.
Manufacturer: Seratec — seratec.com · Australian Distributor: Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd
Intended Use
Defined scope of application for the Seratec PSA Semiquant in professional forensic laboratory settings.
Forensic Semen Identification
The Seratec PSA Semiquant is intended for the forensic identification of semen in biological stain extracts recovered from crime scene evidence, sexual assault examination kits, reference samples, and other forensic materials submitted for body fluid analysis.
The test detects prostate-specific antigen (PSA/p30) as the primary immunochemical marker for seminal plasma, providing a highly sensitive and specific presumptive identification of semen stains irrespective of sperm cell content.
PSA Semiquant is intended for use by trained forensic scientists and laboratory personnel operating within accredited forensic laboratory environments, in accordance with validated standard operating procedures.
Scope & Limitations
Indicated for: Forensic stain extract testing for semen identification. Compatible with dried stains from fabric, swabs, paper, skin, and other forensic substrates following validated extraction procedures.
Vasectomised donors: PSA is produced by the prostate gland independently of spermatogenesis. The test will yield positive results from semen of vasectomised individuals.
Not indicated for: Clinical diagnostic use. Not for use as a standalone confirmatory test — results should be interpreted in the context of all available forensic evidence and casework information per laboratory SOP. For forensic use only.
Test Workflow
The PSA Semiquant follows a standard lateral flow immunochromatographic workflow, compatible with routine forensic evidence processing procedures.
Evidence Receipt & Stain Identification
Receive and log the forensic exhibit per laboratory chain-of-custody procedures. Identify the stain area of interest on the substrate — fabric cutting, swab, or other evidence item — for targeted extraction.
Stain Extract Preparation
Prepare the stain extract by eluting the substrate in the extraction buffer as specified in the product Instructions for Use. Ensure the extract volume and dilution are within the validated range prior to test application.
Sample Application
Apply the prepared stain extract to the sample well of the PSA Semiquant lateral flow device. Ensure the correct volume is applied as specified in the IFU. Do not move or disturb the device during test migration.
Lateral Flow Migration
Allow the sample to migrate across the nitrocellulose membrane. The PSA analyte binds to anti-PSA antibody conjugate and migrates to the test line region. The control line confirms adequate sample flow and reagent integrity throughout the test.
Result Interpretation
Read the result at the time point specified in the IFU (approximately 10 minutes). A positive result is indicated by a visible test line alongside the control line — any visible test line intensity constitutes a positive. A negative result shows only the control line. An invalid result (no control line) requires repeat testing. Refer to the IFU for the semiquantitative intensity interpretation guide.
Documentation & Chain of Custody
Record the result, test device lot number, and read time in the laboratory case file per SOP. Positive results may be submitted for confirmatory analysis and downstream DNA profiling as indicated by casework requirements.
Applications
Forensic settings and casework contexts where PSA Semiquant is used for semen identification and evidence triage.
Sexual Assault Casework
Primary application for semen identification in sexual assault examination kits — including vaginal swabs, external swabs, underwear cuttings, and bedding samples — to establish the presence of seminal material.
DNA Triage & Prioritisation
Rapid pre-screening of forensic exhibits prior to DNA extraction to identify seminal stains, prioritise samples for full DNA profiling, and optimise laboratory resources across high-volume casework.
Crime Scene Evidence Screening
Screening of fabric, surface, and swab samples from crime scene evidence for the presence of PSA, to identify stains of potential forensic significance before confirmatory analysis.
Azoospermic & Vasectomised Donors
Detection of semen from individuals where sperm-cell microscopy would be uninformative — including azoospermic and vasectomised donors — since PSA is produced by the prostate independently of sperm production.
Forensic Reference Laboratories
Accredited forensic reference laboratories requiring a validated, standardised rapid test for seminal plasma identification in routine and complex casework.
Cold Case Evidence Re-examination
Re-examination of archived forensic evidence for PSA detection in aged or degraded stains, supporting cold case investigations where historical samples require reassessment.
Product Features
Semiquantitative Detection
Test line intensity provides a relative indication of PSA concentration, enabling practitioners to rank exhibits by likely seminal content and prioritise for DNA analysis.
Rapid Result — ~10 Minutes
Results within approximately 10 minutes of sample application, enabling high-throughput evidence processing within standard forensic laboratory workflows.
Sperm-Independent Detection
PSA-based detection identifies semen irrespective of sperm cell presence — positive results in azoospermic and vasectomised donors where microscopy is uninformative.
Wide Substrate Compatibility
Compatible with stain extracts from a broad range of forensic substrates including fabric, swabs, paper, and dried biological deposits, following IFU-specified extraction procedures.
Built-In Process Control
Integrated control line on every device confirms adequate sample flow and reagent integrity. Invalid results are clearly indicated, preventing misinterpretation of failed tests.
No Specialist Instrumentation Required
Visual result reading requires no additional reader equipment, making PSA Semiquant compatible with resource-varied forensic laboratory environments and field-deployable settings.
Technical Specifications
| Product name | Seratec PSA Semiquant |
|---|---|
| Test format | Lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFA) |
| Detection format | Semiquantitative |
| Target analyte | Prostate-specific antigen (PSA / p30) |
| Biological marker for | Semen (seminal plasma) |
| Sample type | Biological stain extract prepared per IFU |
| Substrate compatibility | Fabric, swabs, paper, dried biological deposits (refer to IFU for validated substrates) |
| Result time | Approximately 10 minutes (refer to IFU for validated read window) |
| Result interpretation | Visual — test line (T) and control line (C) on lateral flow membrane |
| Positive result | Visible test line (any intensity) in presence of valid control line |
| Negative result | Control line only; no visible test line |
| Invalid result | No control line visible — repeat test required |
| Storage temperature | 2–30°C (refer to product label and IFU) |
| Shelf life | Refer to product label and IFU |
| Regulatory category | Forensic — for forensic use only |
| Manufacturer | Seratec |
Downloads
Product documentation for the Seratec PSA Semiquant. Contact Advanced Biotech to request the Instructions for Use and Safety Data Sheet.
The Seratec PSA Semiquant is a forensic rapid test. For forensic use only. This product is not approved or intended for clinical diagnostic use. Results must be interpreted by qualified forensic scientists or laboratory personnel operating within accredited forensic laboratory environments and in accordance with validated standard operating procedures.
The PSA Semiquant is a presumptive test. Results should be considered in the context of all available casework information. Confirmatory testing and further forensic analysis should be conducted as appropriate per laboratory SOP and casework requirements.
Australian Distributor: Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Seratec PSA Semiquant forensic semen identification test.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), also known as p30, is a serine protease produced by the prostate gland and secreted into seminal plasma at high concentrations. Because PSA is present in semen at levels orders of magnitude higher than in other body fluids, it is the established immunochemical marker for forensic semen identification. The Seratec PSA Semiquant detects PSA in biological stain extracts using a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. For forensic use only.
The semiquantitative format provides an indication of the relative PSA concentration in the sample extract based on the intensity of the test line relative to the control line. A stronger test line indicates a higher PSA concentration; a faint test line indicates a lower concentration. Any visible test line in the presence of a valid control line constitutes a positive result, regardless of intensity. Refer to the IFU for the full semiquantitative interpretation guide.
Yes. PSA is produced by the prostate gland, not the testes. Vasectomy prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate but does not affect prostatic secretion of PSA. Semen from vasectomised individuals therefore contains PSA at concentrations comparable to non-vasectomised individuals, and PSA Semiquant will yield a positive result. This is a key forensic advantage over sperm-cell microscopy, which may be uninformative in such cases. For forensic use only.
PSA is produced primarily by the prostate gland and is present in semen at high concentrations. Trace levels of PSA have been reported in other biological materials including breast milk, urine, and vaginal secretions at concentrations substantially lower than those in seminal plasma. Forensic practitioners should interpret results in the context of all available casework information and laboratory standard operating procedures. For forensic use only.
The PSA Semiquant is designed for use with biological stain extracts prepared from forensic evidence including fabric cuttings, vaginal and body swabs from sexual assault examination kits, skin swabs, paper, and other substrates where semen may be deposited. The stain is eluted in the extraction buffer specified in the IFU before application to the test device. Refer to the Instructions for Use for validated sample preparation procedures and dilution requirements.
Read the result at the time point specified in the IFU (approximately 10 minutes). Positive: visible test line (T) alongside the control line (C) — any intensity constitutes a positive. Negative: control line only, no visible test line. Invalid: no control line visible — repeat the test with a new device. Do not read results outside the validated time window. Refer to the IFU for the full result interpretation criteria and semiquantitative concentration guide.
The Seratec PSA Semiquant produces results within approximately 10 minutes of sample application. Results must be read within the time window specified in the Instructions for Use. Do not read results before the minimum validated time or after the specified window, as this may affect result accuracy and reliability.
The Seratec PSA Semiquant is distributed in Australia by Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd. Contact us to request pricing, pack sizes, availability, and product documentation including the Instructions for Use and Safety Data Sheet.
Enquire About PSA Semiquant
Contact Advanced Biotech Pty Ltd to request pricing, pack sizes, availability, and technical documentation for the Seratec PSA Semiquant in Australia.
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