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Stereomicroscopy

Definition

Low-power binocular microscopy used to examine excised bite mark tissue or impression surfaces at magnification levels (typically 10 to 40x) that reveal fine surface detail not visible to the naked eye.

Magnification range
Typically 10x to 40x
Application
Excised bite mark tissue and impression surfaces
Viewing mode
Binocular, low power

Common questions

What does stereomicroscopy reveal in bite mark tissue that photography alone misses?+

It resolves fine surface detail such as individual tooth striations, punctate abrasions, and subtle indentation edges at magnifications the naked eye cannot achieve, which supports finer comparison against a suspect's dentition.

Is stereomicroscopy used on the tissue before or after excision?+

It is generally used on excised tissue during laboratory examination, after documentation and photography of the wound in situ, since excision allows controlled lighting and stable positioning that scene conditions cannot provide.

Related terms

3D Optical Scanning
Non-contact surface topography measurement using structured light or white-light interferometry to produce a nanometre-resolution height map of the document surface; an alternative...
ABFO No. 2 Scale
The right-angle L-shaped reference scale with circular targets used in bite mark photography. Its design enables post-capture correction of lens distortion and...
Dental Cast
A three-dimensional stone or resin model of a suspect's dentition made from an impression of their arches. The cast is the reference...
Double-Swab Technique
A collection method for dried biological stains in which a moistened swab rehydrates and lifts the stain from the surface, followed immediately...
Transparent Overlay
A life-size tracing or printed representation of the biting surfaces of a suspect's dental cast, placed over a bite mark photograph to...

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