Active oxygen doctors the evidence |
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Authors: | Ana Castelló Francesc Francès Dolores Corella Fernando Verdú |
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Institution: | 1. Facultad de Medicina, U. D. Medicina Legal, University of Valencia EG, Av/ Blasco Iba?ez, n°15, 46010, Valencia, Spain 2. Facultad de Medicina, U. D. Preventive Medicine/CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, University of Valencia EG, Av/ Blasco Iba?ez, n°15, 46010, Valencia, Spain
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Abstract: | Investigation at the scene of a crime begins with the search for clues. In the case of bloodstains, the most frequently used
reagents are luminol and reduced phenolphthalein (or phenolphthalin that is also known as the Kastle–Meyer colour test). The
limitations of these reagents have been studied and are well known. Household cleaning products have evolved with the times,
and new products with active oxygen are currently widely used, as they are considered to be highly efficient at removing all
kinds of stains on a wide range of surfaces. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of these new cleaning products
on latent bloodstains that may be left at a scene of a crime. To do so, various fabrics were stained with blood and then washed
using cleaning agents containing active oxygen. The results of reduced phenolphthalein, luminol and human haemoglobin tests
on the washed fabrics were negative. The conclusion is that these new products alter blood to such an extent that it can no
longer be detected by currently accepted methods employed in criminal investigations. This inability to locate bloodstains
means that highly important evidence (e.g. a DNA profile) may be lost. Consequently, it is important that investigators are
aware of this problem so as to compensate for it.
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Keywords: | Crime scene investigation Bloodstains Presumptive test Haemoglobin test |
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