Use of BLUESTAR® at a suspected crime scene

  1. Wear protective clothing to avoid contamination.
  2. Prepare the solution using the BLUESTAR® KIT or TABLETS.
  3. Test the solution using a known blood sample as a positive control.
  4. Partially darken the room.
  5. Spray BLUESTAR® from a distance of about 50 cm (20”). A bluish glow indicates a positive reaction. The glow fades after about one minute but can be refreshed by spraying again.
  6. Spray a nearby unstained area as a negative control.
  7. Use a BLUESTAR® OBTI test (or similar) for on-site confirmation. Collect luminescent materials for lab testing (to confirm human origin and allow DNA typing).

How to Photograph the Luminescence of BLUESTAR® FORENSIC

The luminescence produced by BLUESTAR® FORENSIC lasts several minutes. The reagent can be sprayed multiple times on the same area, which makes observation and photography easier.

Suggested DSLR camera settings: 

  • ISO 800
  • Aperture f8
  • Shutter 8
  • Tripod-mounted camera 

 

Procedure:

Use a darkened room with diffused lighting. Natural light is preferred over artificial, which can give images an unnatural green or yellow tint. Set up the camera on a tripod before spraying to avoid disturbing the scene.

How to take photographs
of the luminescence

Photographing bloodstains

Video Tutorial

Learning to use Bluestar® – Part.6/15: photographic technique – Bluestar® Forensic