Formosa48

Hello Scientists! I’m setting up a crime scene that has “bloody” evidence -- shoeprints, knife, etc. (The ‘blood’ is simply red paint.). I would like the team members to perform a Kastle-Meyers test on the ‘blood’ … some coming up positive (pink), others negative for the presumptive test. I’ve purchased synthetic blood (which isn’t necessarily cheap, and has a limited shelf life once opened) to which I can apply on top of the paint and get the pink reaction using phenolphthalein and hydrogen peroxide. Question: What inexpensive chemical (solution) can I apply on top of the red paint to get the same (pink) reaction? (That chemical would need to be translucent or red so as to maintain the red color of the paint). I’ve read Wiki page on the K-M test and it says ‘chemical oxidants such as copper and nickel salts will cause the Kastle–Meyer reagent to turn pink before the addition of the hydrogen peroxide’. So it seems I could apply a water and copper/nickel salt solution on top of the paint to get this reaction. If so, okay … although it’s not ideal, since that apparently gives the pink reaction PRIOR to the Hydrogen Peroxide drop. I would like the re-action to happen afterwards. Would anyone know what precisely to apply to my paint to simulate pink reaction AFTER the drop? Thank you kindly for anyone’s support! David

Hi All New here, I hope an easy question? I have created some basic forensic activities and 'games' for kids (and adults). I would like to simulate the Chemiluminescence effect that Luminol creates when sprayed on blood using two (or more) other chemicals/liquids: For example, I want to spray/splash some translucent (chemical) liquid on a wall and then spray another chemical on that to create the glow you would get using luminol. Where I live (in Asia), luminol is difficult to get and VERY expensive (I would be doing this many times) ... importing it isn't an option, etc. Also, I don't want to use blood (health risks and I don't want to have to 'wipe' it off once applied). So, is/are there a combination of relatively inexpensive, common, not to dangerous chemicals that I can use to simulate this effect? My apologies if I haven't explained this so well, I failed Chem 101. Thank you in advance! Kind regards