Evaluation of the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 through use of organo-metallic complexes--a potential link to the luminol presumptive blood test.

Forensic scientists use several presumptive tests to detect latent blood stains at crime scenes; one of the most recognizable being the luminol reagent. Luminol, under basic conditions, reacts with an oxidizing species which, with the help of a transition metal catalyst facilitates a luminescent response. The typical oxidizing species used in the luminol reaction is hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)).