Comparison Microscope Resources

Comparison Microscope

• 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.read more...


• Comparison Microscope in Valentine’s Day Massacre
  St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was a violent event in which seven gangsters were killed by rival Al Capone mobsters dressed as Chicago police officers in 1929. Colonel Goddard, who used a comparison microscope in a previous controversial case, became the key forensic expert in solving this case. His investigation also led to the establishment at Northwestern University, United States’ first independent criminological laboratory, which Goddard headed. The said laboratory brought ballistics, fingerprinting, blood analysis, and trace evidence under one roof.read more...


• 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.read more...


• Ballistic Fingerprints Discovered by Comparison Microscope
  Handguns were the firearm of choice in shooting-related crimes, especially in the United States of America. As with most firearms, the fired ammunition components may acquire enough but distinctly unique and reproducible microscopic marks. Such marks aid the identification that such were fired by a single firearm. Making these comparisons is referred to as firearms identification or ballistics.read more...


• Comparison Microscope
  A comparison microscope is a device used to analyze specimens, side-by-side. It is sometimes known also as stereo microscope or dissecting microscope. This device consists of two microscopes connected to an optical bridge. Such design results to a split view window.read more...