This is Edward of Frettchenvergnuegan Land at Ferrets NorthWest, Seattle,
with a suggestion for determining the presence of human blood contaminants
on the fur of ferret Phoenix.
 
Contact local hospital associated with university (research setting) and ask
to speak to haemotologist or biochemist and describe the objective of your
inquiry.  Request source of human blood detergent that will loosen bonding
of blood cells & serum from ferret fur.  Ensure that said detergent will be
benighn to ferret and then proceed as follows:
 
Divide 1 qt (liter) of pure distilled water into two clean, very clean
vessels, preferably glass vessels.  Label two vessels 1 and 2.  Prick your
finger deeply to express several drops of your own blood onto small, sterile
gauze pad.  Add to this gauze pad an equivalent volume of detergent that you
will use on the pad to wipe down the ferret in the step below.  Immerse
detergent/human blood gauze pad in vessel 1.  Agitate vessel 1 thoroughly.
Pour off into sterile vial 3 or 4 ounces (milliliters) of fluid from vessel
1, seal vial, attach label No.  1, and refrigerate.
 
Saturate sterile gauze pad with blood detergent and have an assistant very
thoroughly massage ferret's fur around muzzle, head and forepaws.  Take
extra care to avoid contaminating gauze pad with ferret saliva or any ear
debris.  Deposit gauze pad into vessel 2 and agitate thoroughly.  Pour off
into sterile vial 3 or 4 ounces of fluid from vessel 2, seal vial, attach
label No. 2, and refrigerate.
 
Submit both vials to hospital lab and request test for presence of human
blood in each vial.  Suggest to lab that the tests called nuclear mass gas
spectography and paper chromotography be run on fluid in each vial, so
comparisons can be viewed, side by side.  If the graphical plot from the gas
spectometer is identical for both vials, then you'll know that human blood
is present in both vials.
 
The source of the two fluid-filled vials need not be identified to the
testing lab, so any political objections are not likely to be made.
 
The blood detergent substance can be identified by calling Detection
Technology at [425] 882-0712.
 
Good luck in your investigation.  Please let us on the net know of your
results.
[Posted in FML issue 2255]