How can a microscope be used to solve crimes

The instruments commonly used in criminal or environmental forensic investigations and analysis include scanning electron and optical microscopes. These tools are used to characterize forensic evidence like fabrics, metals, textile or glass. Microscopic imaging can also aid in identifying scratches and indents from tool marks, blood, hair classification, particle analysis, or scrutinizing residues such as sand, mud, and diatoms.

Hair and fiber samples are often collected as trace evidence. Fiber types can be determined using optical microscopy techniques. Moreover, the detailed high magnification of the human hair sheds light on the ethnicity of the suspect and other details like whether the hair has been chemically treated or not.

Different species of animals have different follicular structures as well. Microscope examination of fibers, like the cotton fiber shown here imaged by SEM, cannot provide quantitative characteristics of fibers, but is non-destructive and can be used for a qualitative comparison. Uses of Microscopy in Forensics.

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Forensic pathologists are responsible for determining the manner in which a person has died. If the person died from a certain disease, forensic pathologists may use a microscope to identify the deadly bacteria or virus. A microscope may be beneficial when it comes to more closely examining the tissue around a wound and determining what sort of object -- be it a bullet, a knife or something else -- caused the damage.

An avid lover of science and health, Meg Michelle began writing professionally about science and fitness in Related Articles Impacts of the Microscope on Science. Types of Forensic Tests. Uses of Microscopes in Science. List of Forensics Techniques.