Most people who watch crime dramas (Law & Order, NCIS, or CSI) on TV know what the cops do when they’re at a crime scene. When cops are investigating a crime scene, they spray a special type of solution involving the chemical Luminol that glows blue in the dark. The topic of this experiment is to determine what other liquids can react with Luminol to make the solution glow blue in the dark. The independent variable would be the types of chemicals used (in cups) and the dependent variable would be duration of blue glow (in seconds).
The scientist began by researching the chemical. The scientist found that Luminol, or C8H7N3O2, is a chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence (the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction), with a blue …show more content…
In 1928, German chemist H.O. Albrecht accidentally discovered Luminol. The first time Luminol was used in a crime scene was in Germany in 1937. Luminol is highly sensitive to bloodstains or residues, even to old stains, in walls, carpets, upholstery, wooden floors, or painted surfaces. When forensic/crime scene investigators spray Luminol solution on a surface, it reacts with metal ions like iron, which are stored and transported by red blood cells. Very discrete iron concentrations on a surface, such as 1 part per million, are enough to catalyze Luminol’s chemi-luminescence (react and cause it to glow). However, Luminol sensitivity is not blood-specific, and the compound also reacts with other substances for example, saliva, rust, potassium, permanganate, animal proteins, vegetable enzymes, etc. Therefore, Luminol tests [aren’t] [decisive] for blood and cannot be admitted for evidence in court. (“Lerner & Lerner, …show more content…
Crime scene investigations are the steps—so to speak—performed when investigating a crime scene. (“Constantakis, 2016”) Crime Scene Investigation is a science where there is no pre-determined procedure and the investigation differs with the type of crime scene. CSI includes checking all the physical evidence, which includes hair, blood, fingerprints, and taking various photos of the crime scene, which can help in finding the criminal behind the crime. (“Anita, 2011”) The scientist then found some information on how Luminol reacts with its catalyst, a substance which a chemical reacts with. (“Harris,
The scientist began by researching the chemical. The scientist found that Luminol, or C8H7N3O2, is a chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence (the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction), with a blue …show more content…
In 1928, German chemist H.O. Albrecht accidentally discovered Luminol. The first time Luminol was used in a crime scene was in Germany in 1937. Luminol is highly sensitive to bloodstains or residues, even to old stains, in walls, carpets, upholstery, wooden floors, or painted surfaces. When forensic/crime scene investigators spray Luminol solution on a surface, it reacts with metal ions like iron, which are stored and transported by red blood cells. Very discrete iron concentrations on a surface, such as 1 part per million, are enough to catalyze Luminol’s chemi-luminescence (react and cause it to glow). However, Luminol sensitivity is not blood-specific, and the compound also reacts with other substances for example, saliva, rust, potassium, permanganate, animal proteins, vegetable enzymes, etc. Therefore, Luminol tests [aren’t] [decisive] for blood and cannot be admitted for evidence in court. (“Lerner & Lerner, …show more content…
Crime scene investigations are the steps—so to speak—performed when investigating a crime scene. (“Constantakis, 2016”) Crime Scene Investigation is a science where there is no pre-determined procedure and the investigation differs with the type of crime scene. CSI includes checking all the physical evidence, which includes hair, blood, fingerprints, and taking various photos of the crime scene, which can help in finding the criminal behind the crime. (“Anita, 2011”) The scientist then found some information on how Luminol reacts with its catalyst, a substance which a chemical reacts with. (“Harris,