Luminol....anyone ever spray it on a vintage/Historical Tomahawk ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
930
Hi all,

I realize this question is (to say the least) a bit....unusual. OK, I recently purchased a very old (me thinks) "Vintage Trade Indian Spike Tomahawk" from a Gentleman/Shop owner along the Maine mid-cost (Sagadahoc Country). Last year, I viewed a (Discovery type TV channel) Police Forensic show on the History of the Lizzie Borden House http://lizzie-borden.com/
A very interesting part of the show is where the two former Detectives took a spray bottle of Luminol into the Borden House Basement. The Detectives sprayed Luminol on the upper Walls/Ceiling of the Basement just (beneath the upper floor) where the Father was murdered (while sleeping on the Couch) in 1892. Much to the Detectives surprise, once the Ultraviolet light was shined where the Luminol was sprayed, the Walls/Ceiling (and general area) lighted up like a Neon sign! So, I began to wonder, if I sprayed Luminol on an old Historical Axe/Knife/Tomahawk etc. might I get the same results ? Then again, do I really want to know ? If nothing else, I suspect this would be a interesting experiment.

HARDBALL
 
Just ? But how long would the blood protiens remain on a non porous surface that is under use? I can see traces remaining on porous surfaces like wood and sheetrock.

Bill
 
Hi Bill,

Yep....that's the question. I have no idea if an old (Iron ?) Tomahawk would still have remaining Blood proteins if used as a Weapon/Hunting tool.

HARDBALL
 
Don't get caught up in the whole luminol thing. Its not all its cracked up to be on TV. There are plenty of things that are not blood that can give a false positive, including I suspect stuff that can make newer things look old.
Luminol is an indicator, further tests are required to prove presence of blood.
 
Hi Arathol,

Sure, I would expect as with most any test, you will have a good percentage of "false" positives. As far as making newer "things" look old, I'm pretty darn sure it does not apply in this case, that is to say, I purchased this item as nothing more than an old rusty Axe Head. This item was not in any way sold/presented as a Historical/Indian/Trade etc. Axe whatsoever. In fact, this item was purchased at a "junk shop". I also know this item has been sitting among a pile of other junk for a long time. In fact, I "passed" on this item at least three to four times before I decided to buy the Spike Axe as I couldn't get this item out of my mind. The more I researched this style of Spike Tomahawk Axe Head, the more I came to believe it is the real deal.
That being said.....using Luminol as an "indicator" would still be an interesting experiment if nothing else but, as you said (assuming I got a positive reading) further testing would have to be done. Thanks for your thoughts.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Hi all,

It's been over two years since I originally posted this thread. Last night while doing researching on the Computer, I had the TV on in the background and low and behold, that same Lizzie Borden Crime episode aired once again.
I watched/listened to the program while working with the Computer and I did a Google search and found a picture of the ROOFING HATCHET thought to have been used in the murders (presumably) by Lizzie : http://lizzieandrewborden.com/LBForum/viewtopic.php?t=4666

This morning, I went into my Basement, searching my collection of old Axes/Hatchets and heck, if I didn't find an old vintage Roofing Hatchet that looks EXACTLY like the one pictured in the above link. However, I do not know the exact size of the Borden Hatchet. I can see very faint lettering on my Hatchet but can't quite make out wording. My question is......might anyone know the MAKER of the famous 1892 Lizzie Borden Hatchet ? Thanks.

HARDBALL
 
Unless someone used this for splitting deer rib cages during hunting season, and foolishly omitted cleaning the tool before and after, your chances of finding blood on it are near zero.
 
Hi 300,

Yea.....this seems to be the consensus (at least with something made of steel). Any idea on the maker of the (Circa 1800's) Lizzie Borden Shingle/Roofing Hatchet per photo in link above ? Thanks.

HARDBALL
 
HARDBALL said:
http://lizzieandrewborden.com/LBForum/viewtopic.php?t=4666
Click to expand...
From the link:
hatchet2.jpg



HARDBALL said:
. . .
My question is......might anyone know the MAKER of the famous 1892 Lizzie Borden Hatchet ?. . .
Click to expand...
According to http://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioUnderhill.html
"An Underhill Edge Co. ax was the murder weapon in the trial of Lizzie Borden."

Example:
26351549363_46dfe656e6_b.jpg


Lizzie Borden was found not guilty.

I don't think any axe was positively identified as the murder weapon, but if someone wants a homework assignment...:)

Bob
 
Hi Bob,

Ah ha! LOL, THANK YOU Bob for that information. Geeeeze, I never even thought to check with the Davistown Museum which is located forty four miles from my home here in Maine. I've yet to visit the Museum (in Liberty Maine) as I'm always distracted by this place directly across the street : https://www.facebook.com/libertytool

Thanks again Bob.
 
I have used Luminol several times as a Crime Scene Investigator. First TV shows are BS. you do not use Ultraviolet light with luminol. You do have to be in COMPLETE darkness. We have to wait until night and usually tape all windows over with black trash bags. Once had a truck and had to tow it to a basement garage and then cover the window and door of the garage up after dark. Luminol barely glows with blood and some body fluids. Bleach makes it glow in direct light. Pennies glow well in the dark and a spot on carpet where a wet piece of cooper glow months later leaving an outline of the cooper. Mountain Dew glows really well as well. I'd say some of the minerals in old oxidized metal would glow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top