Luminosity, My Dear Watson, Luminosity!-Or, Are Those Bloodstains?
submitted by: Barbara A. Burke, Kamran Golestaneh, and Helene Samson Chemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA 91768
checked by: Galen P. Mell Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812-1002
This version of the luminol demonstration illustrates the use of the luminol reaction as a presumptive test for bloodstains. The procedures developed for the demonstration are based on those used by forensic scientists. The high sensitivity of this test can be shown, since blood diluted 1:150 will cause visible luminescence in a darkened room. False-positive results are given by stains of solutions of the transition metal ions, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Co2+. This latter part of the demonstration illustrates the importance of confirmatory tests in qualitative chemical analyses. A two-reservoir spray bottle was constructed and used in this demonstration. This demonstration requires relatively small amounts of materials and therefore significantly reduces the amount of hazardous waste generated.
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Citation
Burke, Barbara A.; Golestaneh, Kamran; Samson, Helene. J. Chem. Educ.1999 76 65.
Keywords
Demonstrations; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry
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