BLOOD DETECTION - Bluestar Forensic

1 BLOOD . DETECTION . A Comparison of Visual Enhancement Chemicals for the Recovery of Possible BLOOD Stains at the Crime Scene . Luminol vs. Bluestar . Written By : M. Dawn Watkins MS. CLPE. CSCSA. King C. Brown MS. CSCSA. CFPH. T. he recovery and DETECTION of possible solution obtained is very short. This formula is BLOOD stains at the crime scene can make very unstable and is toxic, due to the presence or break a case, especially with the advent of Sodium Perborate. of and perfection of DNA testing. When a crime scene is cleaned up, this technology becomes even In 1966, Weber proposed a composition made more important. Over the past two years we have up of Luminol, sodium hydroxide or potassium conducted a study of Luminol and a new chemi- hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide diluted in distilled Figure #1.

2 Cal Bluestar Forensic this research delves into the solution so obtained needs to be kept specifics of each chemical, its makeup, use and re- in a cool place away from direct light. Its lifespan sults of the chemical testing on various BLOOD stains is brief. The luminous reaction obtained by this als haem and peroxidase. Haem is a biochemical of various dilutions to determine the sensiti- composition can be photographed in total dark- structure that forms an integral part of peroxi- vity of each chemical. ness, or filmed with a night-vision camera. structure (Figure #1) is equally pres- ent in hemoglobin. In this manner, the presence In 2000, Jean-Marc Lefebvre-Despeaux, president of hemoglobin thus of BLOOD can be revealed From Luminol to of Roc Import, charged Loic Blum, , profes- by taking advantage of the ability of haem to cat- Bluestar Forensic : sor of bio-chemistry at the University Claude alyze the chemo-luminescent property of a brief history Bernard-Lyon and director of the enzymatic and Luminol.

3 In other words, a mix of Luminol + ox- biomolecular engineering laboratory (EMB2- idizing agent + alkaline agent, when placed in con- The first experiments conducted with a view to UMR 5013 CNRS-UCBL) to find a new formula tact with BLOOD , will emit light [2]. using Luminol as a tool in Forensic sciences were that would be Luminol-based and eliminate all conducted in 1937 by Specht, who tested it out those numerous a result, Blum on a variety of bases such as the lawn, bricks, or discovered this new formula that was subse- stone soaked in BLOOD . In 1939, Proesher & quently called Bluestar Forensic [1]. About the Authors Moody tested Specht's composition on animal Bluestar Forensic is a patented powerful new la- and human BLOOD . tent BLOOD reagent. The authors of this article are M.

4 Dawn Watkins and King C. is senior latent-print In 1951, Grodsky proposed a blend of powders examiner/crime-scene investigator at the Palm made up of Luminol, Sodium Carbonate, and Luminol: Beach Gardens (Florida) Police Department. She Sodium Perborate mixed with distilled has been in the Forensic field for 32 years, holds subsequently became the formula that is most How does Luminol react ? a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, and is an commonly used by today's investigators to detect IAI Certified Latent Print Examiner and Senior traces of BLOOD at the scene of a crime. Luminol (3-Aminophthalhydrazide) was synthesized Crime-Scene Analyst. Brown is the Crime-Scene for the first time in 1853. Its property to produce a supervisor at the West Palm Beach (Florida).

5 However, the use of sodium carbonate produces chemo-luminescent reaction in basic solution in the Police department. He has been in the Forensic a slow reaction in the oxidization process of he- presence of an oxidizing agent on contact with BLOOD field for 20 years, holds a Masters Degree in moglobin. It therefore is not very luminous and was first observed by Albrecht in 1928. Criminal Justice, and is an IAI Certified Senior of brief duration only. Moreover, once the reac- The main components capable of catalyzing this Crime-Scene Analyst and Forensic Photographer. tive agents dissolve in the water, the life of the reaction for emitting light are the transition met- 1. Luminol Reagent Preparation: been washed out, wiped off or which are invisi- ble to the naked product is intended for 1.

6 Add distilled water in a mixing bottle. crime investigators. Based upon chemilumines- 2. Add a 4oz. bottle of Luminol Pre-mixed cences, its unique formula qualifies it as the most to the water. effective BLOOD revealer available on the market, 3. Mix the chemicals and the water thoroughly. for crime scene as well as Forensic lab use. 4. Decant off the liquid into a spray bottle, Bluestar Forensic does not alter the DNA of leaving the sediment in the bottom of the the revealed BLOOD which allows for its subse- mixing bottle. quent genotyping. Furthermore, it is non toxic, 5. Always mix chemicals just prior to use. contrarily to the classic Luminol formula [2]. 6. Shelf Life is very limited to several hours, Some of the features of Bluestar Forensic are: even after refrigeration.

7 Figure #2 The extreme sensitivity of Bluestar Forensic al- Luminol Spraying Procedure: lows the naked eye to detect bloodstains down to This light reaction reacts in the 441-452 Nm 1/1000 dilutions,like minute traces or droplets that range emitting a blue/white light it is somewhat 1. Set spray bottle to the finest setting. have been washed off, with or without detergent. similar to that of a firefly. The reaction happens 2. Prepare photographic equipment. Bluestar Forensic has a stronger and longer- when oxidation occurs with the presence of he- 3. Darken the room, no light if possible. lasting luminescence that does not require moglobin, an extra Oxygen molecule jumps orbit 4. Spray in a sweeping motion. total darkness to be visible. Good quality pic- and then returns to normal [2].

8 Luminol is a 5. Immediately check for a reaction. tures can be obtained with an ordinary cam- Luciferin (A Pigment Made By Organisms, 6. Photograph the reaction as specified. era and film. Which are Capable of Bioluminescence). BLOOD With a little practice, Bluestar Forensic is a Luciferase (An Enzyme Present in the Luminol Photography: makes it impossible to get confused between Cells of Bioluminescent Organisms that Catalyzes BLOOD and false positives since the lumines- the Oxidation of the Luciferin). Luminol is a pre- The Luminol reaction is very difficult to photograph cence differs in color, intensity and duration. sumptive test which gives off light instead of color. and the higher the ISO film speed the shorter the Bluestar Forensic works as well on fresh exposure time for 35 mm or digital cameras.

9 BLOOD as on very old or altered bloodstains, Luminol has a long history is said to be non-de- pure or diluted. structive to BLOOD , DNA, non-corrosive to the Luminol Camera Settings 35 mm: Bluestar Forensic is easier and safer to pre- crime scene and highly sensitive 1:1,000,000. pare. Neither powders nor liquids to be mixed, Luminol can detect the presence of BLOOD and 24 mm fast lens (f , , , ) but only fast-dissolving tablets. the presence of a cleanup and can detect patterns 400 ISO film or faster Bluestar Forensic can be sprayed over and of removal. However, it does not react with Camera on a tripod over again on the same bloodstains for the enough resolution for fingerprint identification. Cable Release same resulting luminescence each time. (Figure #2) Aperture f-stop or wide opened Before use, Bluestar Forensic has a very long Expose for 30sec.

10 45 sec. 60 sec. 90 sec. shelf-life and does not necessitate any special Luminol does react and produce some false pos- 120 sec. storage condition. itives on the following types of surfaces: Once mixed, Bluestar Forensic is stable and Plant Peroxidase-Plant Cells Which Act Luminol Camera Settings Digital: will work for hours, or even several days. to Catalyze the Oxidation of a Substance By Bluestar Forensic is not toxic, thanks to the Peroxide. 24 mm fast lens (f , , , ) absence of Sodium Perborate Tetra hydrate. Chemical Oxidants-Chemicals Which Cause 800 ISO speed or faster Easily recycled. No residues left after drying. [2]. Oxidation Camera on a tripod - Certain Cleaning Chemicals Cable Release - Metals Aperture f-stop or wide opened Catalysts. Expose for 15 sec.