Comparison Microscope in the Sacco and Vanzetti Case

In 1921, forensic innovator Calvin Goddard offered ballistic identification evidence to help secure convictions of accused murderers and anarchists, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. They were sentenced to death in the electric chair on April 8, 1927. However, a worldwide outcry arose and Governor Alvin T. Fuller agreed to postpone the executions. The governor set up a committee to reconsider their case. The committee appointed to review the case used the services of Goddard.

To make an examination of Sacco’s .32Colt, the bullet that killed Berardelli, and the spent casings recovered from the scene of the crime, Goddard used Philip Gravelle’s newly-invented comparison microscope and helixometer. a hollow, lighted magnifier probe used to inspect gun barrels. Goddard fired a bullet from Sacco’s gun into a wad of cotton and then put the ejected casing on the comparison microscope next to casings found at the scene. Then, he looked at them carefully.

Through the aid of a comparison microscope, it was found that the first two casings from the robbery did not match Sacco’s gun but the third one did. The committee upheld the convictions.