McCrone Microscopes & Accessories , the instrument sales division of The McCrone Group, announced today that it has jointly teamed with Independent Forensics DNA Testing & Technologies to offer the Sperm Hyliter Package, a new sperm identification and imaging system that permits dramatically faster, simpler, and more efficient sperm identification for crime laboratories. Located in Hillside, IL, Independent Forensics DNA Testing & Technologies is one of the country's leading DNA forensic laboratories.
          
Sperm Hyliter enables forensic laboratories to accurately, quickly, and precisely identify sperm in sexual assault cases. This new technology meets laboratory audit standards for evidence preservation and directly addresses the backlog of untested rape cases.
          
Standard staining techniques, such as KPIC (Christmas Tree stain) or H & E, for locating and determining the presence of sperm in sexual assault cases are not specific for sperm and rely on morphology for identification. Using Sperm Hyliter only human sperm are identified and sperm hidden by debris or cellular material are easily visualized.
          
Sperm Hyliter employs a unique method to fluorescently label human sperm from sexual assault evidence. The new technology can easily be incorporated into current forensic laboratory practice.
          
McCrone is offering a Sperm Hyliter Package, which includes this new kit paired with an Olympus microscope and computer imaging system. McCrone can customize an easy-to-use data basing/image capture system that will store all images and supporting documentation.
          
“For years McCrone Microscopes & Accessories has been seeking ways to help forensic laboratories find a viable solution to make sperm identification and documentation much faster and easier,” said Donald A. Brooks, president and CEO of The McCrone Group. “We believe this revolutionary new approach and technology will greatly impact sperm testing and change the way sexual assault evidence is handled,” he added.
          
“It was well understood that the previous methods used were 30 to 50 years old and did not offer the specificity that is now demanded and required by the forensic community,” said Dr. Karl Reich, chief scientific officer of Independent Forensics DNA Testing & Technologies. “We are very excited about this joint effort with The McCrone Group on the development of the Sperm Hyliter Package.