Abstract

The detection of blood at a crime scene is an important process for identification and case reconstruction. However, blood may be difficult to observe with the naked eye on dark or multi-colored surfaces. Acidic hydrogen peroxide (AHP) is a recently reported blood enhancement reagent that can enhance blood with high sensitivity by increasing the exposure time of the camera. However, it has never been compared to previously known techniques on dark or multi-colored surfaces. For this purpose, the method of observation/photographing (UV and IR photography), alginate casting, leuco rhodamine 6G (LR6G), and AHP were applied to bloody impression on dark or multi-colored surfaces and the results were compared. As a result, blood treated with AHP had a higher contrast to the surfaces than UV and IR photography, and it was applicable on all surfaces, opposed to alginate casting. In addition, AHP successfully enhanced blood on dark or multi-colored surfaces, similar to LR6G.