From Darkness to Light: A Qualitative Analysis of the Efficacy of Bluestar® on Ceramic Tiles

There is an overall lack of research in the capabilities of blood measurement tools when looking at differences between natural cleaners, such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda or vinegar, used for the purpose of hiding, disguising, or cleaning away blood evidence. Previous studies that are used as reference material for this research test different cleaning methods and cleaners including bleach, Dawn dish soap, and hospital grade disinfectants to attempt to completely remove all trace evidence of blood. These studies also used either Luminol or Bluestar® to show any blood that was not fully cleaned by the chemical cleaners. One study also examined bloodstains on multiple surfaces and found that cleaners were not effective at completely removing bloodstains on porous surfaces and blood was still able to be detected but also found that blood was easier to clean off and less detectable on non-porous surfaces. This study examines the effects of Bluestar® on blood evidence found on a surface that had been previously cleaned. This study compares the results of natural cleaners and compares those findings to studies that examine commercial cleaners on nonporous tile surfaces, chosen for this research because they are non-absorbing surface. The findings are based on differently aged bloodstains using Bluestar®, a chemical detector that creates a reaction when blood is present. Bluestar® is bioluminescent chemical that reacts with the hemoglobin in blood and creates a glowing effect. This study is important to expand the research on blood detectors in crime-scene analysis and seeks to further the expertise of crime scene investigators in the future.