Should the above test fail to present distinctive indications at first, one or two fresh drops of acetic acid are introduced between the plates, and the examination is repeated. The result is not to be regarded as negative, until several trials have proved fruitless, as the stained portions are but slowly soluble, and crystallization may have been prevented by the too rapid evaporation of the acetic solution. Haemin crystals, once seen, can hardly be confounded with other substances; still, it is well to identify them by confirming their insolubility in water, alcohol, and cold acetic acid, as well as their instantaneous solubility in soda lye. The addition of common salt is ordinarily superfluous, as it is normally contained in the blood; but it is possible, if the stains were washed with warm water, that, in addition to the coagulation of the albumen, the solution of the salt may have taken place, in which case crystals will fail to form. The addition of salt is to remedy this possible contingency; albeit, the delicacy of the test is not affected, even if crystals of chloride of sodium are produced, as these are easily soluble in water, and are readily distinguished from those of haemin by aid of the microscope. The indications furnished by means of the spectroscope are less reliable than those given by the production of haemin crystals; moreover, the spectroscopic examination requires favorable weather for its execution. Still, the test should be employed in all possible instances. The course pursued is the following: The aqueous fluid, with which the stains have been treated, is placed in a watch glass, and evaporated _in vacuo_ over sulphuric acid; the last remaining portion of the fluid being united in the bottom of the glass by causing it to collect in a single drop. When the evaporation of fluid is completed, the watch-glass is placed before the narrowed slit of a spectroscope, and a ray of diffused light (or better, light reflected from a heliostat) made to pass through the part of the glass containing the residue. If the stains originate from blood, the absorption lines of _haemoglobin_, consisting of two large dark bands, to the right of the sodium line (_Frauenhofer's_ line D), will be observed in the spectrum. In case both of the above tests fail to give positive results, it is almost certain that the stains examined were not caused by blood. If, on the contrary, the reactions were produced, scarcely any doubt exists as to the presence of blood. Under these circumstances it is advisable to confirm the results by means of the tests that have been previously spoken of as being formerly exclusively employed; these are the following: