Abstract
Sexual assault can be one of the most personally violating and horrific acts enacted on an individual, second only to murder. Forensic science has constantly evolved to become more equipped to respond to these offenses- yet there are still opportunities for advancement. This article describes the forensic processes from the outset of a sexual assault investigation, focussing on the primary target of forensic biology analyses- offender cellular material, namely semen and spermatozoa evidence. Understanding the biology and characteristics of this complex body fluid aids forensic biologists in targeting it to identify a perpetrator.