Enzyme activity, DNA degradation and drying times of semen, saliva and vaginal material

•The DNA concentration in liquid semen and saliva samples decreased after seven days.•Enzyme activity in dilute liquid semen & saliva samples & neat vaginal material decreased over time.•Drying times were positively correlated with sample volumes.•Surface type affected semen & saliva drying times but not vaginal material.•Full ejaculates took around 2 & 5 h to dry on porous and non-porous surfaces respectively. The stability of enzyme activity and the amount of detectable DNA within liquid samples of semen, saliva and vaginal material were tested across a number of days. The concentration of DNA within neat semen and saliva samples fell significantly after one week of refrigeration. No apparent change in acid phosphatase or amylase enzyme activity was observed in neat semen and saliva samples over 96 or 72 h respectively. Changes in the enzyme activity of most of the dilute semen and saliva samples, as well as the neat vaginal material sample, were noted after 24 h. The drying times and sizes of stains produced from various volumes of neat semen, saliva and vaginal material were tested on porous and non-porous surfaces at room temperature. Larger volumes of body fluid took longer to dry and generally resulted in larger stains. Body fluids on a non-porous surface took longer to dry than on the porous surface tested.