What is chemiluminescence?

Chemiluminescence refers specifically to the process where light is emitted as a result of a chemical reaction, without the generation of significant heat. This phenomenon is utilized in various applications, including forensic science, where it can help detect traces of substances such as blood at crime scenes. Unlike other forms of luminescence, such as fluorescence that often involves the absorption and re-emission of light, or incandescence, which produces light through heat, chemiluminescence is particularly notable for its efficiency and the absence of thermal energy.

Understanding chemiluminescence is critical in crime scene investigation as it aids in visualizing and identifying bodily fluids or other materials that are otherwise difficult to see, thus providing crucial evidence in criminal cases.