FAQ
Q: How does LUMISCENE visualize latent bloodstains?
LUMISCENE visualizes bloodstains by chemical luminescence, a reaction which produces and emits visible light. When LUMISCENE is sprayed on latent bloodstains the peroxidise-like activity of haemoglobin forms the basis of the production of visible light.
Q: Is LUMISCENE human blood specific?
NO, LUMISCENE is based on the peroxidise-like activity of haemoglobin, like many other presumptive blood tests, and therefore can only give an indication of blood.
Q: Is the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in LUMISCENE high compared to standard luminol or tablet based luminol solutions?
The hydrogen peroxide percentage in LUMISCENE is max 0,06% when activated by 1 tablet or max 0,12% when activated by two. Compared to standard or tabled based luminol, where percentages over 3% are normal, this percentage is extremely low.
Q: How can I apply LUMISCENE?
LUMISCENE can be applied by using High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) “compressor” sprays, air pump sprays and hand pump sprays.
Q: What is the working life of LUMISCENE?
Once LUMISCENE is activated by the calibrated activation tablet(s) the working live is 6 hours.
Q: Is total darkness required when using LUMISCENE?
YES, since the investigator will have the best visibility of the emission of light produced by the chemical luminescence reaction in total darkness. Compare this with watching a night sky. At sunset or shortly after, stars are hardly visible, but they are there!! The darker it gets, the more you will see. This is the same with the chemical luminescence reaction. So using the solution in a not completely darkened environment, as some manufacturers claim to be possible with their products, means that you will miss information/ traces.
Q: Is an ALS necessary for the visualization of the LUMISCENE reaction?
NO, the visibility of LUMISCENE is based on a chemical luminescence reaction, a reaction which produces light. Therefore a forensic light must not be used. After the investigation with LUMISCENE a forensic light (450 nm.) with a orange filter, can be used to check if LUMISCENE was applied evenly on the examined surface.
Q: Can LUMISCENE be used on both porous and non-porous surfaces?
YES, LUMISCENE can be sprayed on both surfaces.
Q: Is a chemical luminescence reaction caused by LUMISCENE better visible than standard or tablet based luminol solutions?
YES, a chemical luminescence reaction caused by the unique LUMISCENE solution is better visible because the produced light emits at 525 nm of the visible spectrum, which is blue/ green instead of at ±425 nm., which is blue, produced by standard and tablet based luminol solutions. Our human eyes are up to 5 times more sensitive in this area of the visible light spectrum. Besides this the presence of fluorescein in LUMISCENE works as an enhancer of the chemical luminescence reaction and therefore the reaction is not only brighter but also better visible (see the test on the website measured with a photo spectra analyser)than the reaction caused by standard and tablet based luminol solutions
Q: How do I store LUMISCENE?
LUMISCENE must be stored between 5 °C (41 °F) and 21°C (70°F) in a dry and dark environment.
Q: Is there an expiration date listed on LUMISCENE?
YES, the reagent and the tablets have a 3 year shelf live after manufacturing (expiration date imprinted on the seal of the kit).
Q: Can LUMISCENE be applied multiple times?
YES, but dependent on the applicator, additional sprays may obliterate bloodstain patterns and may dilute the sample.
Q: Is LUMISCENE fire hazardous or can it form explosives?
NO, LUMISCENE is water-based.
Q: How much surface area can be sprayed with 1 bottle of LUMISCENE?
The amount of surface area that can be sprayed depends on the adjutancy and the spraying apparatus that is used for the appliance of LUMISCENE. A trained forensic investigator can, with the correct use of a HVLP spraying apparatus, investigate a small house with 1- 2 kits (dependent on the amount of pictures that have to be taken).
Q: What is the duration of the light emission caused by the chemical Luminescence’s reaction?
From seconds to minutes, the duration of a chemical luminescence’s reaction caused by a peroxidise-like activity of haemoglobin depends on many variables. Not only the dilution of the blood but also composition and amount of the solution, age of blood etc. influence duration.
Q: How sensitive is LUMISCENE?
Like the duration of the chemical luminescence’s reaction, the sensitivity of LUMICENE and blood also depends on many variables. Not only the quality of the forensic investigator’s eyes and the darkness of the environment are important but also the intensity of the cleaning of the blood, the used and use of cleaning material, the age of the blood, environment etc.
However, during laboratory tests and on scene like cases and surfaces, blood-water dilutions over 1 into 50.000 were easily made visible.
Q: Does the LUMISCENE KIT contains Zinc Powder?
In LUMISCENE, fluorescein is present in the normal valance, an unreduced state.
This means that LUMISCENE doesn’t contain or need Zinc Powder.
Zinc Powder is necessary when Fluorescein, or a commercially kit is used to make a Fluorescin solution for forensic purposes. Zinc Powder is necessary to reduce the Fluorescein to Fluorescin. Zinc Powder itself, is very toxic to aquatic organism and dangerous for the environment. Therefore Zink Powder must be disposed as hazardous waste. Besides this Zinc Powder is listed by the HMIS (U.S.A.) as Fire Hazard: 3 in the WHMIS (Canada) as CLASS B-6 a Reactive and very flammable material.
