ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 October 1973
Page Count: 7

Photography of Bloodstains Visualized by Luminol
Pitt, CG
Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina

Lytle, LT
Duke University, North Carolina

Zweidinger, RA
Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina

(Received 5 February 1973; accepted 17 April 1973)

Abstract

The chemical tests for blood currently in use depend upon the detection of hemoglobin or one of its derivatives [1]. Hemoglobin has several properties which make it suitable for this purpose. The most important, due to its sensitivity, is the peroxidase activity of hemoglobin heme which forms the basis of the benzidine, leuco-malachite green, phenolphthalein, and luminol tests for blood. The luminol test, which is based on the visual observation of chemiluminescence, is particularly useful forensically because of its sensitivity; as a spray reagent, it also permits the detection and observation of the shape and fine structure of the bloodstains which would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye [2–5].

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Paper ID: JFS10031J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10031J
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