Light Microscopy in Forensic Research: From the Laboratory to the Courtroom

摘要

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.