I refer to the Malaysiakini report Prosecutor: We have semen specimens .

To help the average Malaysian understand what will be going on in the second Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial, I offer the following biological facts:

1. Contamination is the major problem associated with the collection of DNA samples for analysis.

2. The rectal environment is quite antagonistic to material such as semen.

The bacteria and fermentation process that normally occur in the presence of a high-protein soluble substance like semen would be lead to its rapid breakdown.

Especially so when the samples were collected the following day

3. There would be major DNA contamination from the host and from food waste in the rectum.

Plus the possibility that any DNA present would be partly or wholly broken down.

4. The rectum is quite efficient at rapidly rejecting foreign materials

5. Any intelligent man who was married to a doctor would be aware of the HIV risk from casual sex encounters and would be wearing a condom

So what's this about a ‘semen sample’?