======Detecting Fake Blood with Luminol======


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**Alternative titles:** Luminol Detection of Blood-Meal Stains
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Mix blood meal with a little water and apply as fake blood stains on a surface; let dry slightly.  
  -Prepare a luminol solution with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.  
  -Darken the room and spray or drip the luminol solution onto the stains.  
  -Observe the blue glow and compare it to an unstained control area.  
  -Record or photograph results before the glow fades.



====Links==== 
Luminol Experiments, Blood Detection, Fake Crime Scene Cleanup - sdriza: 
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====Variations====
  *Purchase a commercially available luminol kit.
  *Test different amounts of blood meal.  
  *Compare glow on porous vs. nonporous surfaces.



====Safety Precautions====
  *Wear gloves and goggles.  
  *Use only dilute sodium hydroxide and 3% hydrogen peroxide.  
  *Do not mix luminol with bleach or ammonia.  
  *Handle blood meal carefully; avoid dust and wash hands afterward.




====Questions to Consider====
  *Why does blood meal make luminol glow? (It contains iron, which catalyzes the reaction.)  
  *How does stain size or freshness affect the glow?  
  *What other everyday substances might cause false positives?