Bashinski Transfer

The Bashinski Transfer Technique is an application of the same chemistry used in the Sodium Rhodizonate Test. It is designed specifically for dark-colored surfaces that may mask the blue-violet coloration of a positive test result.

The Bashinski Transfer is carried out as follows:

1. Position the area to be tested.
   Place a piece of laboratory filter paper over the test area.
2. Place a test mark on the filter paper.
   Index the filter paper in pencil relative to the test item indicating the location of suspected bullet holes, seams, buttons, button holes, pockets, rips, tears, etc., for future reference.
3. Prepare the filter paper.
   Dampen the filter paper uniformly while positioned on the test item by spraying with a 15 percent solution of glacial acetic acid in distilled or deionized water.
4. Lift residues from item.
   Cover the dampened filter paper with several layers of dry filter paper and apply heat with an iron until the paper is dry.
5. Perform color test.
   1. Remove the original filter paper from direct contact with the test item.
   2. Spray the filter paper with the saturated solution of sodium rhodizonate.
   3. Spray the filter paper with the buffer solution.
      This solution eliminates the yellow background color caused by the sodium rhodizonate, establishes a pH of 2.8, and displays a pink color in the presence of lead and some other heavy metals.
   4. Spray the filter paper with the hydrochloric acid solution.
      The pink color fades leaving a blue-violet color, indicating the presence of lead. Note that positive blue-violet indications are a mirror image of the deposition on the test item.
6. Label and retain test paper .
   Mark the previous pencil marks placed on the test paper in ink when the paper is dry. Label with additional data according to laboratory protocol. This result can fade quickly; observations should be photographed and documented promptly.

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