Case Study: Identification of a Carpet Stain Called “Ralph” in a Lexington County, South Carolina Courthouse

THE PROBLEM: A mysterious stain in the carpet at courthouse seemed to reappear and grown in size after every cleaning. Due to its enduring presence and evolving characteristics, the employees in the courthouse affectionately nicknamed the stain “Ralph”.

THE ANALYSIS AND OUTCOME: MVA Scientific Consultants was asked to analyze the characteristics of carpet stain. Using light microscopy aided by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), our conclusions dispelled speculations that it was mold or soot. Instead, the stain was identified as common indoor materials such as fungal material, glass fragments, cotton, paper fibers, starch, and construction materials held together by resinous material.

Photo: A closer look at “Ralph” under the microscope

A chemical analysis using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) revealed that the sticky residue was consistent with corn syrup. The origin of “Ralph” was most likely spilled soda that was not completely cleaned. The dried corn syrup acted as a persistent sticky residue, attracting typical office dirt and debris with each subsequent cleaning.