Leucocrystal Violet (L.C.V.)

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Chemical Name:
Leucocrystal Violet (L.C.V.)

Surface Used On:
Blood-stained surfaces.

Sensitive To:
Blood Hemoglobin

Development Color:	Method to Record:	Hazard:	Protective Clothing:	Fume Hood Use:
Purple				Yes

Reagent Characteristics

Development Complete When:

Source of Error:

Incompatibilities:

Precautions:

Storage Container:

Safety:

Recommendations:

Similar Reagents

LEUCOCRYSTAL VIOLET FORMULA:

FORMULA "A"

1.	(Solution A)
10g    5-Sulfosalicylic Acid
100 ml distilled water

2.	(Solution B)
add Solution A to
400 ml 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

3.   (Working Solution)
add    .75 g Leucocrystal violet dye
to     Solution B 
stirring the mixture vigorously.

FORMULA "B"

10g    5-Sulfosalicylic Acid 
500 ml 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

add    3.7 g Sodium acetate

add    1.0 g Leucocrystal violet dye
stirring the mixture vigorously.

PROCEDURE OF APPLICATION

Spray the blood impression
using a fine-mist sprayer.

Development should occur in 
30 seconds.

Ridge Detail Visualized by:

Visible chemical/stain reaction.

Reagent Applicabilities:

Porous surfaces
Non-Porous surfaces
Blood Enhancement
Post-Ninhydrin

Other Chemical Name(s):

None

Working Solution Shelf-life:

Room Temperature: Three months
Refrigerated: Nine months

Process Summary:
A quick and uncomplicated method to enhance blood through the catalytic oxidation of the dye, while simultaneously fixing and enhancing the blood impression. Other blood enhancement techniques such as Amido Black may be applied after this technique.

Accepted Deviations:
The working solution may be lightly blotted 30 seconds after its application. Once the impression is blotted, the reagent may be lightly applied again.

Supporting Reference Materials:
1. Fisher, John F., "An Aqueous Leucocrystal Violet Enhancing Reagent for Blood Impressions".
2. "Chemical Formulas and Processing Guide for Developing Latent Prints", U.S. Dept. of Justice, pg. 47-48, 1994.
3. Bodziak, William J., "Use of Leucocrystal Violet to Enhance Shoe Prints in Blood", Forensic Science International, Vol.82, No.1, Sept. 1996.

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