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What is Bluestar® ?

BLUESTAR® Forensic is a blood developer that allows the detection of invisible blood traces.

  • Very easy to use and non-toxic.
  • It does not destroy DNA.
  • Its extreme sensitivity allows the detection of cleaned or washed blood traces.
  • It is also used in archaeological research.

BLUESTAR® Forensic is the leader in its market and is used in more than 95 countries around the world to solve numerous investigations.

The History

The first experiments were performed by Specht in 1937. Grodsky proposed in 1951 a field kit called “Kit Luminol” used by investigators to detect blood traces at crime scenes. This formula contains sodium perborate, which is a toxic molecule. The light reaction obtained with this composition can be photographed in complete darkness. The shelf life of the preparation is short.

In 2000, Jean-Marc Lefebvre-Despeaux, president of BLUESTAR®, asked Loïc Blum, professor of biochemistry, to find a new formula using the molecule “luminol” (3-aminophthalhydrazide), which would overcome the disadvantages of the old compositions. Blum discovered this new formula which was named “BLUESTAR® Forensic”, which eliminated the disadvantages associated with other luminol-based reagents.

BLUESTAR® Forensic can be used to detect minute traces, but also very old ones. It is used in archaeology to detect traces of blood dating back hundreds of years. (Learn more about “Bluestar’s history”)

Utilisation

BLUESTAR® Forensic is particularly easy to prepare and use.

To obtain a BLUESTAR® solution, simply dissolve tablets in water. (See the products)

Application

Bluespray diffuser

BLUESTAR® Forensic solution can be applied and reacts on all types of surfaces. For smooth, non-porous surfaces, we recommend using the BLUESPRAY® to avoid altering the shape of the mark.

Sensitivity

BLUESTAR® Forensic can detect unseen or hidden traces of blood up to dilutions of 1 / 100 000, (See the study) including minute traces erased or thoroughly washed, with or without detergent. It allows to reveal invisible and microscopic traces or droplets of blood, especially on dark surfaces. The sensitivity does not depend on the volume of the stain, but on the actual presence of blood.

BLUESTAR® Forensic produces a stronger and longer chemiluminescent reaction than conventional luminol. It does not require total darkness nor an alternate light source to be seen. BLUESTAR® Forensic allows for good photographs of the revealed blood trace to be obtained with ordinary photographic means. (See comparative studies)

The point of view of the Gendarmerie Nationale Criminal Research Institute (IRCGN):

“This new formulation of BLUESTAR® has many advantages over a conventional luminol solution. The luminescence is more intense, it lasts longer and does not require total darkness to be visible. In addition, this chemical is more stable and can still be used several days after preparation.” (see study)

IRCGN

Synthetic blood:

BLUESTAR® Forensic reacts on synthetic blood containing hemoglobin.

Performances​

Bleach

Performance of BLUESTAR® Forensic on bleach and bleached bloodstains:

Studies have been conducted by the Nantes University Hospital on various dilutions of bloodstains with bleach added (9.6% and 0.48% concentration) with the following conclusions: Bleach does not prevent the subsequent detection of bloodstains with BLUESTAR® Forensic.

After bleaching and washing in a washing machine of blood stains with different concentrations and dilutions of 9.6% and 0.48% bleach, the stains are always revealed by BLUESTAR® Forensic.

Other supports

BLUESTAR® Forensic performance on other substrates:

Most materials provide excellent results.

A variety of substrates/materials, both porous and non-porous, natural and synthetic were tested (see study):

  • iron and other metals
  • various plastics
  • fabrics
  • papers
  • stones
  • various coatings

Ancient blood

Performance of BLUESTAR® Forensic on old blood:

BLUESTAR® Forensic has demonstrated its detection power on very old blood. At this date, the oldest human blood detected by BLUESTAR® Forensic is that of two Confederate soldiers killed during the battle of Gettysburg. (see article) !

BLUESTAR® Forensic can help investigators long after a crime has been committed.

It is also used in archaeology and has revealed blood traces dating back 7000 to 8000 years (See article)

False positives

Bleach alone is a false positive because it has a characteristic chemiluminescence. It does not, however, prevent the detection of traces of blood and the confusion between blood and bleach is possible with a little practice. The reaction is much more short-lived on bleach. This can be seen in the video on false positives. Other household, food or chemical products can cause false positives, but most of them are easily identified by a well-trained technician (see the study on false positives).

Resolved investigations

Numerous investigations have been solved around the world with the BLUESTAR® Forensic reagent. You will find various articles in the “news” section.  

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