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]