title: Improving Luminol Blood Detection in Forensics.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop chemical improvements to the original Weber protocol, in order to increase the intensity and time length of light emission and to eliminate false-positive reactions. The intensity and duration of light were measured on serial blood dilutions using a plate reader chemiluminometer. Blood stains of various concentrations were impregnated in pure cellulose, dried, and luminol solution was added with/without the potential enhancers. An in silico study was also conducted, aiming to demonstrate the enhancing mechanism of hemoglobin denaturation using 8 M urea. The luminol blood detection test revealed important improvements after urea pretreatment or in the presence of monochloro-triazinyl-β-cyclodextrin. This approach also eliminated the false-positive reaction from sodium hypochlorite. These improvements could provide a higher sensitivity under particular circumstances such as old or washed blood stains, leading to a better localization for further DNA typing and higher quality photographic analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Genetics and Serology, Institute of Legal Medicine, Str. Buna Vestire Nr. 4, 700455, IASI, Romania.|Department of Biochemistry, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Universitatii Nr. 16, 700115, IASI, Romania.
authors.forename: Bogdan A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Stoica
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Genetics and Serology, Institute of Legal Medicine, Str. Buna Vestire Nr. 4, 700455, IASI, Romania. sabina.bunescu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bunescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Universitatii Nr. 16, 700115, IASI, Romania.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neamtu
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Morgue, Institute of Legal Medicine, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bulgaru-Iliescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Universitatii Nr. 16, 700115, IASI, Romania.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Foia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences I, "Gr. T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Universitatii Nr. 16, 700115, IASI, Romania.
authors.forename: Eosefina Gina
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Botnariu
mesh_terms: D001801:Blood Stains; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins
chemical_list: D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D008165:Luminol; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite
keywords: blood detection; chemiluminescence; cyclodextrins; forensic science; luminol; urea