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Teichmann Test

Definition

Confirmatory crystal test. Glacial acetic acid and sodium chloride convert haem to brown, rhombic haemin (ferriprotoporphyrin chloride) crystals. Older, less reliable on aged stains than Takayama.

Related terms

Benzidine Test
Historical presumptive test using benzidine and hydrogen peroxide to give a blue colour. Banned for routine use because benzidine is a confirmed...
BPA
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Reconstruction of events from spatter geometry. Sits outside this syllabus bullet but commonly tested in short-answer form alongside detection.
Confirmatory Test
A test with sufficient specificity to establish the identity of a biological fluid for reporting purposes. Examples include Takayama and Teichmann crystal...
Kastle-Meyer Test
Phenolphthalein based presumptive test. Reduced phenolphthalin is oxidised by haem peroxidase activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to give a pink...
Leucomalachite Green (LMG)
The reduced, colourless form of malachite green. It is oxidised to the coloured malachite green form by active oxygen released when haemoglobin...
Luminol
A chemiluminescent reagent (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione) that produces blue-white light on contact with haemoglobin-derived iron. Detects blood diluted to 1:10,000,000 or more. Used as...
Presumptive Test
A fast, low-cost, class-specific screen used to triage a caseload before instrumental work begins. Examples are Marquis reagent for opioids and amphetamines,...
Takayama Test
Confirmatory crystal test. Pyridine, glucose and sodium hydroxide convert haem to pink, feathery pyridine ferroprotoporphyrin (haemochromogen) crystals.

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