The Pathfinder-S reagent is an aqueous suspension. The solution is applied to the suspected location of blood traces. Invisible traces (not distinguishable against the background, removed by scraping, washing, or located in cracks and seams) are revealed in a darkened room by spraying the prepared solution.
As a result of the solution's effect on the blood substance, a bluish glow occurs, lasting about one minute, and resumes after repeated spraying. This phenomenon is called chemiluminescence, does not require an external source of excitation and occurs only due to the energy released during chemical processes. To enhance the luminescence of blood traces treated with the reagent, an ultraviolet light source is used.
It is worth noting that this method makes it possible to detect even the smallest traces of blood. The reaction to the reagent treatment retains its sensitivity even after attempts to remove blood (scraping, washing with soap or washing powders, dry cleaning, ironing with a hot iron) on almost any material, since it is almost impossible to completely remove traces of blood. The exception is cases of careful removal of blood from smooth non-absorbent surfaces (e.g. plastic).
The use of the reagent "Sledopyt-S" takes place in cases where the fact of a crime is known (murder, knife wounds, gunshot wounds, etc.), but the criminal tried to destroy traces of the crime, and in this case the reagent will help forensic scientists and investigators to detect invisible (destroyed) traces of blood.
The effect of the reagent on traces does not interfere with the subsequent forensic examination of traces of blood.