Persons Responsible for the Comparison Microscope Development

Calvin Goddard is a forensic ballistics pioneer, who supported and guided Philip O. Gravelle is a chemist in his development of comparison microscope for use in the identification of fired bullets and cartridge. The development of such microscope was a huge leap in firearms identification in forensic science.

The firearm, from which a bullet or cartridge case has been fired, is identified by the comparison of the unique marks left from the worn, machined metal of the barrel, breach block, extractor, or firing pin in the gun that were left on the bullet or cartridge case.

Calvin Goddard perfected the comparison microscope in bullet and cartridge case comparison and popularized it with the Sacco and Vanzetti and Valentine’s Day Massacre cases.

Sir Sydney Smith took note of the comparison microscope usage and emphasized its importance in forensic science and firearms identification. He brought the such microscope to Scotland and introduced it to the European scientists for use in firearms identification and other forensic uses.