Over the years, the use of light microscopy has become deeply ingrained within the field of forensic science. Light microscopy is a quick and accessible technique and, perhaps most importantly, non-destructive towards precious and irreplaceable samples. Common and routine in nearly every forensic laboratory, specialists unfailingly turn to this approach as a first-line analysis for both research and investigation, before employing subsequent techniques. This is especially important within the latter context, since during a criminal investigation, permission must be granted for destructive testing of a piece of evidence. In some cases sufficient information can be gathered through non-destructive approaches alone. More specialized forms of microscopy are also common, for example polarised light microscopy for fibre identification and comparison microscopy for matching up hair, firearms and tool marks.
展开▼
