The Chemiluminescent imaging of blood on washed cotton and polyester fabrics
Duwaraga Manoharan
Abstract
Luminol is a sensitive test that emits a blue light when in contact with blood. This reaction, known as chemiluminescence, was utilised in this study to test luminol sensitivity on 60 100% cotton and 60 100% polyester swatches measuring 10cm by 10cm. All samples were washed once, twice or thrice with non-biological or biological laundry gels, air-dried, sprayed with luminol and photographed in a dark room. Blood was detected on all 60 blood-stained swatches regardless of washing patterns or laundry gels. The 60 unstained controls did not produce chemiluminescence thus making luminol an important test for blood in crime scenes.