Apparatus and method for detecting human fecal contamination on hands and other objects using an illumination imaging device

According to the present invention there is disclosed a system and a method for detecting the presence of human fecal contamination on objects, such as a protein source, a worker's hands, work surfaces, tools or utensils. In one embodiment, there is included a supporting structure which supports a diffuse light source, the light source emitting light having a wavelength from the blue portion of the electromagnetic spectrum effective to elicit fluorescence from the fecal matter at wavelengths in the 600 nm to 800 nm range. A third wavelength of interest in the 600 nm to 800 nm range is also used as a reference control. Thereafter the wavelengths are combined in a series of mathematical steps to develop an algorithm or process to detect the presence of the human fecal material. There is also disclosed a method of using such a device to detect the presence of such contamination, optionally including further steps to identify the source of any contamination and to modify any practices so that the spread of contamination may be reduced.