This spell enables the caster to magically examine an item or creature to see if it has been subject to a curse spell. To the spellcaster, such cursed items or beings appear to be radiating a black aura. At 12th level, the caster is able to determine if a curse spell so detected is bestow curse, major curse, dying curse, bane, or some other curse spell. This spell does not detect magical items that are designed for malign effects, such as a necklace of strangulation which is designed to have a lethal effect.