Michigan Man Discovers Human Blood in Thrift Store Find

Logan Strohmeyer, a Michigan resident, made a surprising find while browsing at a Goodwill store: a wooden box containing glass microscope slides, one of which was labeled “human blood, smear.” Initially drawn to the box due to his interest in old technology, Strohmeyer did not realize the contents included a blood sample until he returned home. Upon discovering the slide, he expressed his astonishment, stating, “It definitely was a surprise!”

Man Makes Unusual Find at Goodwill, at Home Discovers Human Blood Inside

The sale of whole human blood for transfusion is heavily regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which classifies blood as a biological product requiring strict oversight. While the FDA is unlikely to be concerned about a single slide containing a trace amount of blood, Strohmeyer questioned how such a sample ended up in a thrift store. He speculated whether it was part of a personal collection or a sample taken by someone for their own use.

Man Makes Unusual Find at Goodwill, at Home Discovers Human Blood Inside

Seeking clarification, Strohmeyer turned to social media, posting images of the slides on Reddit under the username u/MavGoneMad. His inquiry, “Is this a biohazard?” garnered significant attention, leading to over 1,000 upvotes. Responses from users, including a biologist who confirmed that the slides were typical of beginner microscope sets, helped demystify the situation for Strohmeyer. Despite the reassurance, he remained curious about the origins of the blood sample, asking, “Like whose blood is that? Is that even sanitary?”

Man Makes Unusual Find at Goodwill, at Home Discovers Human Blood Inside

Strohmeyer’s discovery drew comparisons to the popular Showtime series "Dexter," where the titular character maintains a collection of blood slides from his victims. Although many Reddit users referenced this connection, Strohmeyer admitted he had never watched the show. Instead, he expressed excitement about using his childhood microscope to examine the slides further, stating, “I plan on keeping them for personal use and study!”

Man Makes Unusual Find at Goodwill, at Home Discovers Human Blood Inside

Logan Strohmeyer’s unexpected find at Goodwill highlights not only the peculiarities of thrift store shopping but also the evolving role of social media in seeking information. His experience raises questions about the provenance of biological samples in everyday settings and reflects a broader cultural fascination with the intersection of science and popular media.

Man Makes Unusual Find at Goodwill, at Home Discovers Human Blood Inside