Robust Serum Albumin-Responsive AIEgen Enables Latent Bloodstain Visualization in High Resolution and Reliability for Crime Scene Investigation

Bloodstains provide admissible information for crime scene investigators. The ability to resolve latent bloodstains that are commonly found in real scenarios is therefore pivotal to public security. Here, we report a facile approach for invisible bloodstain visualization based on the click reaction between serum albumin and tetraphenylethene maleimide (TPE-MI), an aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen). Compared to the widely adopted methods based on the harsh catalytic oxidation activity of hemoglobin, this working principle benefits from the specificity of the mild catalyst-free thiol-ene click reaction that improves the reliability and resolution. In addition, the mild conditions preserve DNA information and bloodstain patterns, and the excellent photophysical properties of the AIEgen afford high sensitivity and stability (>1 yr). Such an excellent performance cannot be achieved by conventional AIEgens and aggregation-caused quenching luminogens with similar structures. TPE-MI outperforms the benchmark luminol-based technique in visualizing latent bloodstains as showcased in two mock crime scenes: spattered blood track and transfer blood fingerprint. This disclosed method is an advancement in forensic science that could inspire future development of technology for bloodstain visualization.