Forensic Microchemical Tests

• -ortho-tolidine
• -detects blood based on peroxidase-like activity of heme

• - 1-Naphthyl Phosphate
• -component in Brentamine test for semen

• 1-Naphtol
• -component in Brentamine test for semen
• -also in detection of sugars, Molisch test

• Fast Blue B Salt
• -component of the Brentamine test for Semen

Brentamine test product

• -detect the enzyme, acid phosphatase
• -presumptive screening for semen

1-naphthyl phosphate is added to sample. if acid phosphatase is present, 1-naphthol is formed. 1-naphthol reacts with the FBB salt to create a blue/purple color

sodium rhodizionate

-detection of lead

product of sodium rhodizionate test for lead

• - the test chelates lead in a pH dependent fashion
• - develops a red-violet color

-detection of lead

An aqueous solution of Rhodizonic acid chelates lead in a pH dependent fashion. A red-violet color develops upon the addition of 5% HCl.

rubeanic acid or dithiooxamide

- detection of copper and nickel

copper rubeanate product from the dithiooxamide test for copper and nickel

• Dithiooxamide diluted with methanol and ammonium hydroxide is added to the sample.
• -olive green positive for copper
• -pinkish-blue positive for nickel

diphenylamine

-detection of oxidizing salts

-diphenylamine and concentrated sulfuric acid are combined and then added to questioned samples.

blue is positive for oxidizing salts

sulfanilic acid

Greiss #1

N-(1-Naphthyl) Ethylenediamine dihydrochloride

Greiss #2

-determines presence of nitrate and nitrite ions

• -add Greiss #1 followed by Greiss #2
• -pink/magenta positive for nitrite ions
• -nitrate ions remains colorless

The Molisch Test

1-Naphthol, ethanol, concentrated sulfuric acid