This is just a small part of the luminol discussion in court:
"With reference to the non-visible biological traces, she explained that the methodology used to detect this type of specimen consists of using a reactive chemical called Luminol which, due to a chemical reaction, reveals, by fluorescence (sic, actually chemiluminesecence), [187] traces of blood which may be present but are invisible to the naked eye (latent). Revealing such traces not only helps to reconstruct the dynamic of the events, but can also allow analysable DNA to be found that may yield the genetic profile of the individual who left it. She specified, however, that positive results from Luminol were also given by animal blood and by certain other elements such as rust, fruit juice, vegetal chlorophyll, bleach, etc.
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On the floor of the corridor of the flat (the corridor going from the small bathroom to the living room-kitchen corner), some samples were taken of bloody spots nearly circular in form, which were identified as the blood of the victim. (pg 193)
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She then explained the results obtained from the Luminol tests, stating that "this test was performed during the second search, at the end of all the other activities, on the floor of the following areas: Filomena Romanelli's room, Amanda Knox's room, the corridor, the living room-kitchen corner and the larger bathroom" (p. 83 of the transcripts). She pointed out that on the basis of this test, she could not say with certainty that blood was present, since other substances as well may cause Luminol
to glow. The sample called L1 in the inspection report, taken in Romanelli's room, corresponded to the genetic profile of the victim; the sample called L2, also from Romanelli's room, yielded a mixed genetic profile of the victim and Knox; the sample L3, taken from Knox's room, as well as the other two (L4 and L5) yielded Knox's genetic profile. Of the samples L6, L7, L8 and L9, only L8 (item 183) from the corridor, almost in the middle of the corridor in front of the door to Amanda Knox's room, gave the result: victim plus Knox. The last sample L9 yielded no result.
The living room-kitchen corner gave a negative result on the Luminol test, as did the larger bathroom. pg 194-5
The Luminol also revealed another foot print, left along the hallway and the genetic result of the sample was the genetic profile of Amanda Knox.
Another sample, also taken from the hallway, but in front of the wall that separates the victim’s room from Knox’s room, yielded a mixed genetic profile: the victim plus Knox. pg 198
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She pointed out that Luminol also detects substances other than blood. However, the presence of DNA also meant, necessarily, that biological material was present (page 102).
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She thus asked whether it was still possible to interpret these traces as being haematic in nature. Analysing the quantification data, she added, "we see that the quantity of DNA obtained from the major part of these traces is compatible with low copy number DNA; therefore DNA is present in very small quantities; so it is also necessary here to ask oneself whether or not the amplification could be repeated, in order to be able to consider the results obtained as scientifically valid‛ (page 74). pg 257
Ref: Judge's Report:
http://www.westseattleherald.com/si...ttachments/MasseiReportEnglishTranslation.pdf
