Results indicate that the chemical, BlueStar does not inhibit STR analysis. The results also confirm that luminal and fluorescein do not interfere with STR analysis. Blood left at a crime scene can give indications of foul play, as well as having the potential to reveal the identity of the individual who left it. Where blood is visible, DNA analysis is possible. However, if the blood is latent, it must be found and the method used to find the latent blood must not interfere with DNA analysis. The two chemicals, luminal and fluorescein are widely used to detect latent blood. Research has shown that luminal and fluorescein do not affect STR typing of DNA. A new chemical, called BlueStar Forensic, like luminal and fluorescein, detects latent blood. The manufacturers of BlueStar advertise that it does not interfere with DNA analysis. However, there is little research that has been done to demonstrate the effect of BlueStar, if any, on DNA analysis. This study was undertaken to determine whether BlueStar interfered with STR analysis and whether there were any significant differences among the three chemicals as far as their effect on STR analysis. References