How does luminol work?
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 5:36 am
In this article, you will find out more information about its use, how it works, its importance for police investigations , as well as its applications. Stay tuned!
Luminol is a powdered substance, used in possible crime scenes , which is composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms — with the following formula : C 8 H 7 N 3 O 2 .
However, it is diluted in water and hydrogen peroxide for practical use. The solution in contact with small amounts of iron ions (catalyst for the oxidation of luminol) develops bolivia mobile database a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence .
It is due to this oxidation reaction of luminol catalyzed by iron ions that blue stains appear at the site where there was blood, enabling its identification by forensic experts . The reaction is so sensitive that even washing the area where there was blood, the small amount of residual blood containing iron atoms is enough to trigger the reaction.
How is luminol applied?
As luminol is a powder substance, field application is done by diluting the chemical compound in water and hydrogen peroxide and storing it in a special spray bottle.
The identification of latent traces of blood is possible thanks to the appearance of bluish stains in areas where there was blood before cleaning, strong enough to be seen with the naked eye in poorly lit places.
Therefore, for field application, the environment must be slightly darkened, making it easier to see the blue traces.
How long does it take for luminol to detect blood?
In fact, the luminous reaction begins when luminol comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide (carbon peroxide), but due to the slowness of this reaction, it is not possible to notice the blue color.
However, when it comes into contact with the iron present in the blood — which acts as a catalyst — the reaction is accelerated, causing blue spots to appear 5 seconds after the substance is applied to the area.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that luminol can identify blood even if the area has been cleaned with heavy cleaning products or up to 6 years have passed.
For this reason, this product is very effective and helps to solve various crimes, especially if applied correctly.
Luminol is a powdered substance, used in possible crime scenes , which is composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms — with the following formula : C 8 H 7 N 3 O 2 .
However, it is diluted in water and hydrogen peroxide for practical use. The solution in contact with small amounts of iron ions (catalyst for the oxidation of luminol) develops bolivia mobile database a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence .
It is due to this oxidation reaction of luminol catalyzed by iron ions that blue stains appear at the site where there was blood, enabling its identification by forensic experts . The reaction is so sensitive that even washing the area where there was blood, the small amount of residual blood containing iron atoms is enough to trigger the reaction.
How is luminol applied?
As luminol is a powder substance, field application is done by diluting the chemical compound in water and hydrogen peroxide and storing it in a special spray bottle.
The identification of latent traces of blood is possible thanks to the appearance of bluish stains in areas where there was blood before cleaning, strong enough to be seen with the naked eye in poorly lit places.
Therefore, for field application, the environment must be slightly darkened, making it easier to see the blue traces.
How long does it take for luminol to detect blood?
In fact, the luminous reaction begins when luminol comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide (carbon peroxide), but due to the slowness of this reaction, it is not possible to notice the blue color.
However, when it comes into contact with the iron present in the blood — which acts as a catalyst — the reaction is accelerated, causing blue spots to appear 5 seconds after the substance is applied to the area.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that luminol can identify blood even if the area has been cleaned with heavy cleaning products or up to 6 years have passed.
For this reason, this product is very effective and helps to solve various crimes, especially if applied correctly.