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Glowing Clues: Smartphones and Science Team Up to Crack Crimes

Thursday, July 10, 2025
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Scientists have revolutionized crime scene investigations with a high-tech method that uses a smartphone and a special glowing chemical called luminol.

How It Works

  • When luminol meets blood, it lights up.
  • A smartphone records the process in a video.
  • Smart software analyzes the videos, distinguishing between human and cow blood, even if diluted.

Advantages

  • Eco-friendly: Uses far less luminol than traditional methods.
  • Accurate: Works on cotton, ceramics, wood, and glass.
  • Estimates blood age within 3.6 days.
  • Fast and efficient, benefiting both forensic scientists and the environment.

Limitations

  • Less accurate on wood and glass surfaces.
  • No method is flawless, but this is a significant advancement in forensic science.

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