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Isaac
Student
Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
1
Question
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In Forensics, how does Luminol interact specifically with other chemicals and substances and what produces the most drastic outcome?
I may not have spelled Luminol correctly so I hope I was not too far off from the point. By drastic, I mean what chemical or substance would produce the most desired outcome?
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2 answers
Yisel Andujar
Pharmacy Healthcare Professional
65
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Vineland, New Jersey
Updated
Yisel’s Answer
Hey Isaac,
Your question is fascinating, and your chosen profession even more so! You're from North Carolina, right? Did you know that your home state is a hub for forensic studies? North Carolina offers a variety of forensic certificate and degree programs, both online and in-person. This isn't surprising, considering North Carolina's rich educational history. It's home to the first state art museum and the first public university in the country, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
So, what can you expect from a forensic college in North Carolina? According to O*NET (2022), a data group sponsored by the US Department of Labor, forensic science technicians need to be skilled in various areas. These include collecting, analyzing, and documenting evidence from crime scenes, collaborating with medical and law enforcement professionals, performing laboratory tests on diverse types of evidence, and testifying as expert witnesses in court. Remember, forensics has many specializations, including criminalistics, toxicology, forensic accounting, cybercrime, DNA analyses, document examination, ballistics, arson investigations, and more.
Interestingly, North Carolina is particularly strict about who can work in state crime labs. For instance, in 2011, the General Assembly of NC passed the Forensic Sciences Act, which introduced several reforms on the use of forensic science in the state. This law established the Forensic Advisory Board, created protocols to reduce human error in forensic examinations, clarified rules regarding the admission of forensic evidence in courts, and most importantly, mandated that the State Department of Justice hire only certified professionals.
Now, let's get back to your question about Luminol. Luminol is a water-based solution that can detect blood diluted up to 10,000 times. When it comes in contact with blood, it causes the blood to glow a pale blue color. This light, or luminescence, is believed to be caused by an oxidizing agent, like blood, catalyzing the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide in a basic solution. However, the reaction isn't specific to blood. Other oxidizing agents like bleach, certain metals, and plant peroxidases can also trigger luminescence with luminol. Therefore, a secondary presumptive test, such as phenolphthalein, is usually performed on potential samples before collection.
For more information on forensics, check out this link: https://www.forensicscolleges.com/usa.
Your question is fascinating, and your chosen profession even more so! You're from North Carolina, right? Did you know that your home state is a hub for forensic studies? North Carolina offers a variety of forensic certificate and degree programs, both online and in-person. This isn't surprising, considering North Carolina's rich educational history. It's home to the first state art museum and the first public university in the country, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
So, what can you expect from a forensic college in North Carolina? According to O*NET (2022), a data group sponsored by the US Department of Labor, forensic science technicians need to be skilled in various areas. These include collecting, analyzing, and documenting evidence from crime scenes, collaborating with medical and law enforcement professionals, performing laboratory tests on diverse types of evidence, and testifying as expert witnesses in court. Remember, forensics has many specializations, including criminalistics, toxicology, forensic accounting, cybercrime, DNA analyses, document examination, ballistics, arson investigations, and more.
Interestingly, North Carolina is particularly strict about who can work in state crime labs. For instance, in 2011, the General Assembly of NC passed the Forensic Sciences Act, which introduced several reforms on the use of forensic science in the state. This law established the Forensic Advisory Board, created protocols to reduce human error in forensic examinations, clarified rules regarding the admission of forensic evidence in courts, and most importantly, mandated that the State Department of Justice hire only certified professionals.
Now, let's get back to your question about Luminol. Luminol is a water-based solution that can detect blood diluted up to 10,000 times. When it comes in contact with blood, it causes the blood to glow a pale blue color. This light, or luminescence, is believed to be caused by an oxidizing agent, like blood, catalyzing the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide in a basic solution. However, the reaction isn't specific to blood. Other oxidizing agents like bleach, certain metals, and plant peroxidases can also trigger luminescence with luminol. Therefore, a secondary presumptive test, such as phenolphthalein, is usually performed on potential samples before collection.
For more information on forensics, check out this link: https://www.forensicscolleges.com/usa.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Isaac!
Luminol, a widely-used chemical compound, plays a crucial role in forensic investigations, particularly in revealing the unseen traces of blood at crime scenes. Its versatile nature allows it to mingle with a variety of chemicals and substances, triggering the production of chemiluminescence - a fascinating phenomenon where light is emitted as a result of a chemical reaction.
When luminol encounters blood, it engages in a reaction with the iron found in hemoglobin, the vital protein that transports oxygen in our red blood cells. This interaction results in a captivating blue glow, empowering forensic investigators to pinpoint and examine potential bloodstains that might otherwise remain hidden to the unaided eye.
Additionally, luminol's reactivity extends beyond blood. It can also interact with other substances such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and certain metals. These interactions can yield varying results, contingent on the specific chemical or substance involved...
Luminol, a widely-used chemical compound, plays a crucial role in forensic investigations, particularly in revealing the unseen traces of blood at crime scenes. Its versatile nature allows it to mingle with a variety of chemicals and substances, triggering the production of chemiluminescence - a fascinating phenomenon where light is emitted as a result of a chemical reaction.
When luminol encounters blood, it engages in a reaction with the iron found in hemoglobin, the vital protein that transports oxygen in our red blood cells. This interaction results in a captivating blue glow, empowering forensic investigators to pinpoint and examine potential bloodstains that might otherwise remain hidden to the unaided eye.
Additionally, luminol's reactivity extends beyond blood. It can also interact with other substances such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and certain metals. These interactions can yield varying results, contingent on the specific chemical or substance involved...