Revolutionizing Forensic Analysis Detecting Elevated Bilirubin with UV Fluorescence

Introduction

In forensic science, the smallest traces of evidence can unlock powerful insights. A recent study reveals an innovative, non-destructive method to detect elevated bilirubin levels in dried blood serum using ultraviolet 365 nm light. This development could significantly advance crime scene investigationespecially in cases involving liver disease, physical trauma, or infant deaths.

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Why Bilirubin Matters in Forensics

Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. While normally excreted efficiently, elevated bilirubin levels can signal serious medical conditions such as:

• Liver disease (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Neonatal jaundice
• Blunt force trauma

Detecting elevated bilirubin at a crime scene could link evidence to underlying health issues in victimsoffering investigators a critical new layer of information.

Breakthrough with Ultraviolet 365 nm Light

The study evaluated whether UV 365 could distinguish dried serum samples with high bilirubin levels based on their fluorescent properties.

Key Findings:

• Color shift: As bilirubin increased, serum fluorescence changed from whitish to greenish/yellow.
• Substrate visibility: Fluorescence was easily noticeable on nitrile gloves, glass, metal, and specific textiles.
• Photosensitivity: Exposure to sunlight reduced visibility, confirming that bilirubin in dried stains remains light-sensitive.
• Microsample detection: As little as 5–10 µL of blood or serum was sufficient for detection.
• Non-destructive process: Enables preliminary forensic analysis without sample degradation.

A detailed analysis can be found in our main journal article journal.jfsr.1001036.

Real-World Applications and Implications

This method can be particularly valuable in:

• Infant homicide cases involving neonatal jaundice
• Blunt trauma assessments where liver injury is suspected
• Situations where victim movement is evident, and dried serum is left behind
• Disproving suspect alibis by matching bilirubin levels with victim pathology

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) advocates for integrating innovative light-based techniques in crime scene investigation to enhance non-invasive evidence detection.

This tool could support presumptive identification of victim-specific markers before more invasive tests are conducted.

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Final Thoughts and Future Research

This UV-based detection technique opens exciting new directions in forensic serology. Future studies may explore correlations between disease progression and fluorescence characteristics across diverse fabrics and light exposure durations.

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