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Case Report
Abstract: Amido black is a chemical blood reagent often used by forensic specialists in the development of blood-based latent prints on porous and nonporous surfaces. The effectiveness of this chemical was recently tested on the dermal surface of a homicide victim. The results were impressive, and further forensic study in this area appears to be warranted.
Introduction
Forensic specialists are familiar with the chemical amido black. It is a suggested treatment of visible prints and latent prints that have been deposited in blood [1]. Amido black is primarily composed of the substance napthol blue black. The remaining ingredients will depend on the type of mixture that is being prepared [1], but in this case, the methanol-based mixture (2 g napthol blue black, 100 ml glacial acetic acid, and 900 ml methanol) was used.
"Amido black is a chemical dye solution that binds to protein molecules in blood and yields a dark blue color" [2]. This color change darkens the bloody area to such a degree that many fine details, such as dermal ridge impressions, can become clearly visible.
As one might imagine, a chemical such as amido black is highly useful at any crime scene involving the possibility of evidentiary impressions in blood. Common crime scene applications include the development of bloody footwear impressions on flooring, fabric impressions from bloodstained clothing, and friction ridge impressions on a multitude of porous and nonporous surface types.
With the exceptional versatility of this mixture in mind, forensic investigators in Birmingham, Alabama recently considered the use of amido black as a potential latent-developing agent for bloody stains on the skin of a homicide victim. Although there were some concerns that dermal saturation and skin tone would reduce the necessary contrast in the amido dye, the investigators decided that an attempt at this procedure was warranted.
Procedure
The victim's body, with multiple stab wounds to the upper torso, was discovered on the interior floor of her home. Bloody smears...