Course Outline & Syllabus

Students will acquire the basic knowledge and practical skills to apply polarized light methods to trace evidence analysis. Topics include Köhler illumination, refractive index determination, crystal morphology and optics, and birefringence. Instructors will emphasize particle characterization, including fibers, paint, glass, hair, explosives, soil, and drugs.

There is no prerequisite for this course.

Day 1
Physical optics: reflection, refraction, refractive index, dispersion, lenses, aberrations, objectives, oculars, condensers, stands, lamps, image formation, illumination, resolving power, image contrast, micrometry, crystallization, crystal morphology.

Day 2
Microchemistry; particle-picking, manipulation, testing; crystal optics: color and pleochroism, refractive indices, dispersion staining.

Day 3
Crossed polars: birefringence, retardation, interference figures; identification of small single particles: synthetics and natural fibers, diverse biological particles, minerals, industrial dusts and combustion products.

Day 4
Visual thermal analysis (i.e. fusion methods): polymorphism, isomorphism, liquid crystals, hot stages, cold stages, digital imaging techniques, composition diagram; accessories for the light microscope to improve resolution, contrast and additional characterization data.

Day 5
Characterization and identification of knowns and unknowns

Note: This course runs Monday-Friday with class ending at noon on Friday.