READ: Trace Evidence and Microscopes

Stereoscopic Microscope

 A stereoscopic microscope views particles of evidence in three dimensions and allows the investigator to turn over a tiny object such as a seed or a hair beneath the microscope. When using a stereoscopic microscope, the light is reflected from the surface of the specimen rather than through the specimen as the compound microscope does. This is especially useful when the specimen for analysis is too dense or thick for the light to properly transmit. Unlike the compound microscope, the image formed on a stereoscopic microscope is viewed in the original orientation rather than "upside down and backwards".

Stereoscopic microscopes are often used in Forensic Science because of their versatility in viewing evidence of larger or irregular size. While a stereoscopic microscope does not offer the higher magnification found in other types of microscopes, it does allow samples that would not normally fit under a conventional microscope to be viewed microscopically. It is also used in cases with live animals or organisms being dissected, such as in entomology, because the specimens can be rotated, manipulated and viewed freely without being mounted on slides. These microscopes are often used on the majority of trace evidence before being examined in other more intrusive manners. This is because the stereoscopic microscope allows for observation and analysis without damaging or corrupting the integrity of the evidence. The evidence is observed under the stereoscopic microscope to identify any distinguishing marks or other observations and then is often sent for further analytical procedures which are more intrusive.

Georgia Virtual, Microscopes, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0