7.1 The Microscope
Objectives List and understand the parts of the compound microscope Define magnification, field of view, working distance, and depth of focus Contrast the comparison and compound microscope Understand the theory and utility of the stereoscopic microscope
The Microscope Virtual image – a magnified image as seen through a lens Real image – an image seen directly Two lens for viewing Objective Eyepiece (Ocular)
5 major types of microscopes Used in viewing forensic specimens Compound Comparison Stereoscopic Polarizing Microspectrophotometer
Compound Microscope Illuminator = Transmitted illumination or vertical or reflected illumination Condenser = Abbe is the most simple (collects light rays from the base) Objective lens = Closest to the specimen and is parfocal Ocular lens = Monocular or binocular
Numerical Aperture The ability of the objective lens to resolve details into separate images instead of one blurred image (which happens up close) Magnification power offers Field of view Depth of focus
Comparison Microscope Two compound microscopes side by side Produces a circular field with the two halves reserved for the specimens To compare bullets, cartridges, and opaque objects Vertical illumination is used To compare hairs or fibers Transmitted illumination is used
Stereoscopic Microscope Provides magnification from 10x to 125 x Presents a 3 dimensional image Image is right side up Two monocular compound microscopes spaced and aligned to present a 3-D image
Stereoscopic cont. Most frequently used in the crime lab Wide field of view Great depth focus Large working distance for specimens Used for paint, soil, gunpowder residues, marijuana
Polarizing Microscope Plane-polarized Light which emerges from a crystalline substance and vibrates in only 1 plane Polarizer A device that polarizes light in this way Contains an analyzer A second type of polarizing crystal through which a polarized beam passes
Polarizing cont. If analyzer and polarizer are at 90 degree angles then no light is seen Makes a specimen readily distinguishable Useful for birefringement minerals in the soil