Ask A Scientist Molecular Biology Archive

name Richard 
status other 
grade other 
location OR 

Question - Does blood fluoresce? 
When dried or wet blood is illuminted with a UV light source will it 
fluoresce? More specifically will it fluoresce unaided or does it require 
chemical enhancement such as Luminol or Fluorescein? 
I've seen comments saying it does. Usually from UV light suppliers. I 
believe it just appears dark. 
Could you please enlighten me? 
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The only way to answer this question is to do the experiment. Put some blood 
on paperand shine a UV or black lamp on it and observe wheter or not the 
spots glow.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.
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