Ultraviolet (UV) lighter is a hand-held device that uses ultraviolet light to stimulate the emission of a red light from a mixture of strontium chloride and europium(III) acetylacetonate in water. It is the result of a cooperation between the Japanese Hitachi and the Chinese Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy under the Chinese government's support. The device is designed for use by forensic experts to help them identify the presence of blood and other body fluids on materials such as fabric and carpets. The principle behind the UV lighter is that under the action of UV light, the europium(III) complex reacts with the water molecules in the mixture, leading to the formation of red light through energy transfer. By observing the color change in the mixed solution, forensic experts can determine the presence and location of blood and other body fluids with little error.
In practical application, forensic experts can use UV lighter to detect blood stains on various substrates such as fabrics, carpets, and wood, by observing whether the mixture displays a red color. In addition, the device can also be used to detect other body fluids such as sweat, urine, and tears from non-human subjects.
UV lighter has become an important tool in forensic science, helping forensic experts quickly and accurately identify crimes such as murder, rape, and assault, by providing a powerful method for detecting blood and body fluids on criminal evidence. Its advantages include portability, ease of operation, high sensitivity, and good discrimination ability. Therefore, with continuous updates and improvements, UV lighter is expected to play an increasingly important role in the field of forensic science.
However, it should be noted that UV lighter is not a foolproof method for detecting blood and body fluids. Its performance depends on many factors, including the type of substrate, the concentration of blood or body fluids, and the quality and stability of the UV light source. In some cases, the results obtained may not be accurate or reliable, so forensic experts need to evaluate and interpret the results in conjunction with other pieces of evidence. In addition, due to the relatively high cost of UV lighter, it is not suitable for use in certain routine forensic investigations.
Overall, UV lighter is a powerful and promising tool for forensic experts to detect blood and body fluids, but it needs to be used in conjunction with other methods to obtain more accurate results. With continued improvements and technological advancements, it is expected to play an increasingly important role in the field of forensic science.
