LA PATRIA COLLEGE

Santiago City

INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE IN FS 003

Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

TOPIC/S: CHAPTER VI: MICROSCOPE

A. Definition
B. Types of microscope used in Forensic Chemistry
C. Parts of the Microscope
D. Care of Microscope
WEEK: 3
Time Allotment: 5 hours per week Consultation Hours: F 2:30-3:30 (Criminology Program)

OBJECTIVES/ LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this chapter, the students shall be able to:
1. Define microscope;
2. Label the parts of the microscope;
3. State the function of each part of the microscope;
4. Apply the tips on how to use and take care of the microscope; and
5. Distinguish the types of the microscope.

DISCUSSION:

MICROSCOPE
 A device that provides enlarged image of small objects.
 Is an important apparatus consisting of a combination of lenses that enlarge small objects.
 Microscopes are your most important tools in forensic science investigations. Precise and
reliable instruments, which offer brilliant images, reproducible results and the ability for
documentation are your key to successfully examine a case. Microscopes in forensic science
help you to:
 investigate the site of a crime and study the cause and time of death
 distinguish homicide from suicide, determine the type of weapon used, and establish
the identity of the deceased
 identify fingerprints and footprints and get trace evidence such as hairs and fibers,
DNA, or handwriting
 The word ‘microscope’ came from two base words – ‘micro’ and ‘scope’. These base words
mean ‘small’ and ‘magnify’ respectively. Microscopes are devices that are used to magnify the
smallest of particles. These particles include molecules, atoms, and the like. This is why there
are many types of microscopes that are used. Each of these types is meant for a certain
reason and for a certain field.
Two basic Principles by which Microscope Operates:
1. Resolution – is the ability to make objects or specimens visible.
2. Magnification Power – is the ability to magnify or enlarge an object.
Types of Microscope:
1. Simple Microscope - it is also known as magnifying lens and consist of single lens.

Hand Lens/Magnifying Lens

2. Compound Microscope/Compound Light Microscope - combines the power of lenses and light
to enlarge the subject being viewed. Typically, the eyepiece itself allows for 10X or 15X magnification
and when combined with the three or four objective lenses, which can be rotated into the field of
view, produce higher magnification to a maximum of around 1000X generally. The compound light
microscope is popular among botanists for studying plant cells, in biology to view bacteria and
parasites as well as a variety of human/animal cells. Compound light microscopes are one of the
most familiar of the different types of microscopes as they are most often found in science and
biology classrooms.
 Compound Microscope

3. Stereo microscope - also called a dissecting microscope, has two optical paths at slightly different
angles allowing the image to be viewed three-dimensionally under the lenses. Stereo microscopes
magnify at low power, typically between 10X and 200X, generally below 100x. Uses for this type of
microscope include looking at surfaces, microsurgery, and watch making, plus building and inspecting
circuit boards. Stereo microscopes allow students to observe plant photosynthesis in action. The
stereo microscope is composed of a couple of optical paths. These are placed in different angles,
therefore giving a three dimensional view. However, the magnifying power of the stereo microscopes
is lower than that of the compound light. The magnifying power of these types of microscopes is
generally lower than 100x.

Stereo Microscope
4. Digital microscope - Step into the 21st century with a digital microscope and enter a world of
amazing detail. The digital microscope, invented in Japan in 1986, uses the power of the computer
to view objects not visible to the naked eye. Among the different types of microscopes, this kind can
be found with or without eyepieces to peer into. It connects to a computer monitor via a USB cable,
much like connecting a printer or mouse. The computer software allows the monitor to display the
magnified specimen. Moving images can be recorded or single images captured in the computer’s
memory. An advantage of digital microscopes is the ability to email images, as well as comfortably
watch moving images for long periods. Using this type of microscope, you can achieve a magnification
of up to 1000X and enjoy all the capabilities of a compound light microscope. These images can be
viewed in greater detail as the microscopes project images onto a computer screen, flat panel monitor
or some other type of screen device.

Digital Microscope

5. The USB Computer Microscope - Although not well suited to the same scientific applications as
other light microscopes, the USB Computer microscope, among the different types of microscopes,
can be used on almost any object and requires no preparation of the specimen. It is essentially a
macro lens used to examine images on a computer screen plugged into its USB port. However, the
magnification is restricted and is not comparable to your standard compound light microscope at only
up to 200X with a relatively small depth of field.
 The USB Computer Microscope

6. Electron Microscope - Among the different types of microscopes, the Electron Microscope (EM) is
a powerful microscope available and used today, allowing researchers to view a specimen at
nanometer size. The transmission electron microscope (TEM), the first type of EM, is capable of
producing images 1 nanometer in size. The TEM is a popular choice for nanotechnology as well as
semiconductor analysis and production. A second type of electron microscope is the scanning
electron microscope(SEM)are approximately 10 times less powerful than TEMs, they produce
high-resolution, sharp, black and white 3D images. The Transmission Electron Microscopes and
Scanning Electron Microscopes have practical applications in such fields as biology, chemistry,
gemology, metallurgy and industry as well as provide information on the topography, morphology,
composition and crystallographic data of sample.

SEM TEM

7. Metallurgical Microscopes - Metallurgical microscopes are high power microscopes designed to

view samples that do not allow light to pass through them. Reflected light shines down through the
objective lenses providing magnification of 50x, 100x, 200x, and sometimes 500x. Metallurgical
microscopes are utilized to examine micron level cracks in metals, very thin layers of coatings such
as paint, and grain sizing. Metallurgical microscopes are utilized in the aerospace industry, the
automobile manufacturing industry, and by companies analyzing metallic structures, composites,
glass, wood, ceramics, polymers, and liquid crystals.
 This image of a piece of metal with scratches on it was captured under a metallurgical microscope
at 100x magnification

8. Polarizing Microscopes - Polarizing microscopes use polarized light along with transmitted and, or
reflected illumination to examine chemicals, rocks, and minerals. Polarizing microscopes are utilized
by geologists, petrologists, chemists, and the pharmaceutical industry on a daily basis. All polarizing
microscopes have both a polarizer and an analyzer. The polarizer will only allow certain light waves
to pass through it. The analyzer determines the amount of light and direction of light that will
illuminate the sample. The polarizer basically focuses different wavelengths of light onto a single
plane. This function makes the microscope perfect for viewing birefringent materials.

This is Vitamin C captured under a polarizing microscope at 200x magnification.

Parts of the Compound Microscope:

I. MECHANICAL PARTS – these consists of certain precise parts chiefly of metal to support and
adjust the optical parts.
a. Draw tube – the tubular upright position attached at the top of the armor upper portion of the
body tube that bears or hold the upper lens or the eyepiece.
b. Arm – short curve or C shape used in carrying the microscope.
c. Body tube – attached to the arm; bears the lenses; connects the eyepiece to the revolving
nosepiece. It is where light passes from the objectives to eyepiece.
 d. Revolving/Rotating Nosepiece – revolving structure located at the lower end of the body tube
serving for attachment of objectives or bears the lowers lenses. It also facilitate the shifting of
objective from one objective to another.
e. Dust shield – metallic structure above the revolving nosepiece which protect the lower lens by
collecting dust or dirt, thus preventing it to enter the objectives.
f. Stage – is a platform with central aperture two clips or mechanical clip to hold the slide being
studied. The stage is where you place the glass slide containing the specimen.
g. Mechanical clip located on the top of the stage. It is used to hold the slide in place.
h. Inclination joint – joint between the pillar and the arm. It allows you to tilt the microscope at a
convenient angle for comfortable viewing.
i. Pillar – attached to the base. It provides support and connects the arms and base and used to
hold the body of the microscope.
j. Fork mounting mirror – used to hold the mirror.
II. ADJUSTMENT KNOBS
a. Coarse Adjustment Knob – the large wheel milled edges use along with low power objective for
locating the outline of the specimen or used to bring the object into focus. Rotation moves the
tubes upward and downward.
b. Fine Adjustment Knob – the knob below the coarse adjustment screw; the smaller wheel with
edges. It is used to see the finer detail of the object or used for more delicate focusing.
c. Substage Adjustment – use to bring up and down the stage.
III. ILLUMINATING PARTS
a. Irish Diaphragm – found above the mirror consisting of several metal blades which form circular
opening that may enlarged or reduced to control or regulate the amount of light reaching the
object.
b. Condenser – found immediately beneath the stage. It serves to focus light or further concentrate
the light rays on the specimen. The iris diaphragm and condenser constitute the substage.
c. Mirror – found below the stage with concave and flat surfaces to gather and direct light to
illuminate the object or reflects the light upward for us to see clearly the specimen under
examination.
IV. OPTICAL PARTS – these consist principally of special types of carefully ground and polished glasses
aligned on an optical axis for the enlargement of the image of the object under study.

a. Ocular eyepiece/eyepiece – is the part where you look into when examining object or specimen
in the microscope. The lens of the eyepiece may have magnification power of either 5x, 10x, and
12x.

b. The objectives – the image forming device in an optical instrument. In a microscope or refracting
telescope it consists of lens or system of lenses forming an image of the object at the focus plane
of the eyepiece.

Types of Objectives:

1. Scanner – is the shortest objective marked by 5x, which means it magnifies the object 5x
from its original size. It is used to provide the general view of the specimen.

2. Low Power Objective (LPO) – shorter lens screwed to the revolving nosepiece with a
magnification power of 10x, which means that it magnifies the object studied ten times from
its original size; serves to form image of the object within the body tube.

3. High Power Objective (HPO) – longer lens screwed to the revolving nosepiece and marked
40x but in some microscope 43x. This means it can magnifies an object 40 or 43 times. Serves
to form bigger image of the object within the body tube. It is used to focus on a specific part
of the specimen.

4. Oil Immersion Objective – longest objective among the first three mentioned objectives
crewed to the revolving nosepiece with a marked of 100x. This means that it can magnify
object 100 times.
Making a Wet Mount or Temporary Slide
See to it that the glass slide and coverslip or cover glass to be used is free from marks and dirt. You
can check the clearness of the slide and coverslips by holding each against a source of light.
If the glass slide or the coverslip is dirty, wash it with water. Then carefully wipe it with a soil,
absorbent material like tissue paper or a clean cotton rag.
With the glass slide or the coverslip thoroughly cleaned, you are now ready to make a wet mount.
Follow the procedure below:
1. Set the glass slide on top of your working table. Use forceps to pick up and mount the specimen you wish
observe in the middle of the slide. The specimen should be thin enough to allow light to pass through it.
2. Place a drop or two of water to covet or flood the whole specimen. If you are observing pond water or
any suspension, place a drop or two of the said material directly in the middle of the clean glass slide.
3. Carefully pick up a clean coverslip or cover glass. Hold it between your fingers without touching the flat
surface. Hold the glass slide at one end.
 4. Let the lower end of the coverslip touch the glass slide, tilting the coverslip at an angle of 45° Holding
the coverslip as illustrated, allow it to touch the edge of drop of water. Gently lower the coverslip until the
specimen is pressed between it and the glass slide.
If bubbles are formed, gently tap the coverslip with the point of a pencil. This allows the trapped air to
escape. With the specimen mounted you can now observe it under the microscope.

Direction for Using Microscope

1. Always carry the microscope in an upright position and with two hands. Firmly hold the arm with one
hand and support the base with your other hand.
2. Always set or place the microscope 100m away from the edge of the working table.
3. Place the low power (shorter) ocular in the draw tube.
4. Gently rotate the nosepiece to bring the L.P.O. into position. The low power objective is in position when
it is in exact alignment with the central opening of the stage. This alignment is indicated by a soft click as
you turn the nosepiece.
5. Look through the ocular with one eye and adjust the mirror for even illumination. Never use direct sunlight
when you look through the microscope as it may injure your eye. Keep both eyes open and relaxed.
6. Raise and lower the substage and note how light intensity is changed. The amount of light may be
increased or decreased by opening or closing the iris diaphragm For every object and at each magnification,
there is a certain light intensity at which a maximum of detail is seen. Be able to recognize and to obtain
this condition.
7. Set the prepared slide on the stage. Secure the mounted slide on the stage with one of the clips, preferably
the right one so that the slide can be moved about easily while focusing.
8. Center the slide over the stage opening and bring the tip of the objective about one or two millimeters
above the cover glass.
9. Look through the ocular and slowly turn the coarse adjustment screw counterclockwise until the object is
clearly in view; then use the fine adjustment screw to get a sharp image. Never focus with the coarse
adjustment screw while looking through the microscope as you are liable to crush the slide and damage the
lens.
If you cannot see the object, it means you have not placed it at the center of the microscope field. Re-center
the object and repeat the focusing procedure until you see it
10. Leaving the focus obtained with the L.P.O. unchanged, rotate the H.P.O. and bring it over the object. It
the two objectives are parfocal, the object will be seen right away. If they are not par focal, the image is
either blurred or totally invisible. In either case, the fine adjustment screw should be used to bring the
image into focus. If the adjustment and focusing have been made correctly, only a much enlarged portion
of the object can be seen.
Care of the Microscope
1. Always carry the microscope with two hands, one hand supporting the base and the other hand
grasping the handle firmly.
2. Never play with the microscope.
3. Never remove any part of the microscope and report any missing or damaged part to your instructor
immediately
4. Never let the lenses come in contact with any chemical.
5. Do not tilt or incline the microscope when working with wet mounts. A wet mount is a method using
liquid in preparing slides for microscope study.
6. Always keep the microscope dry. Wipe any liquid on the stage and objectives, using soft absorbent
materials.
7. Always clean the lenses using lens paper or soft tissue paper
8. The stage clips must not touch the lens of the objectives because they-can damage the lenses.
9. After using the microscope, turn the revolving nosepiece until the low power objective is in place and
at us lowest limit. The mirror should be in vertical position and the clips directed forward.
10. Return the microscope to its proper place

REFERENCE/S:

1. https://www.microscopemaster.com/different-types-of-microscopes.html
2. https://www.microscopeworld.com/p-3658-types-of-microscopes.aspx
3. https://www.typesof.com/types-of-microscopes/
4. Aprieto, Virginia L., PH.D. Laboratory Manual For General Zoology. Second Edition. Quad Alpha
Centrum Building. 125 Pioneer St. Mandaluyong City. National Book Store.
5. Capco Carmehta M and Yang (1996), Gilbert C. Biology: Book and Laboratory Manual. 927 Quezon
Avenue, Quezon Clty. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
6. Joaquin, Jaime C. et. al. (1995). General Botany. Second Edition. Miranda Morayta. Infront of FEU 844
N. Reyes St., Sampaloc Manila. C. Viva Publishing House Inc.
 LEARNING TASKS/ ACTIVITY
WEEK 3(September 07 -11, 2020)

General Directions:
1. Write your answers on a clean sheet of bond paper with your name, course and year level, week
number, course number, and course description. Use black ball pen in writing your answers.
Example: BAYAUA, JENNIFER Y. BSCRIM2 WEEK 1
GEC 006 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
2. After writing your answers, install the CamScanner application on your smartphone and use to
capture image/s of your answer sheet/s.
3. Send your answers to the personal Microsoft Teams accounts of your instructor Ms. Jennifer Y.
Bayaua and to your Program Head thru Microsoft Teams.
4. Your answer sheet should be sent in PDF form and name your file with this format: Surname-
Course number-Week number- Quiz number /Activity number (all in capitalized letter).
Example: BAYAUA-GEC006-WEEK1-QUIZ/ ACTIVITY.
5. Deadline of Activity: September 15, 2020 5:00pm

SEATWORK 3: MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE: Indicate whether the statement is true or false. Write T if
the statement is true. If false, identify and change the word or phrase to make the statement true, write
your answer on the space provided before the number. (2 points each)
__________________1. Always clean the lenses using lens paper or soft tissue paper.
__________________2. Always carry the microscope with two hands, one hand supporting the base and
the other hand grasping the handle firmly.
__________________3. Center the slide over the stage opening and bring the tip of the objective about
one or five millimeters above the cover glass.
__________________4. Always set or place the microscope 1000m away from the edge of the working
table.
__________________5.After using the microscope, turn the revolving nosepiece until the low power
objective is in place and at us lowest limit. The mirror should be in vertical position
and the clips directed forward.
__________________6. Carefully pick up a clean coverslip or cover glass. Hold it between your fingers
without touching the flat surface. Hold the glass slide at one end.

__________________7. If bubbles are formed, gently tap the coverslip with the point of a pencil. This
allows the trapped air to escape.
__________________8. Do not tilt or incline the microscope when working with wet mounts. A wet mount
is a method using liquid in preparing slides for microscope study.
__________________9. Always keep the microscope dry. Wipe any liquid on the stage and objectives,
using soft absorbent materials.
__________________10. Set the prepared slide on the stage. Secure the mounted slide on the stage with
one of the clips, preferably the right one so that the slide can be moved about
easily while focusing.
QUIZ 4: IDENTIFICATION/LABELLING: Identify and define on your own understanding the different
parts of compound microscope (3 points each)
SEATWORK 3: COMPLETION: Complete the table below: (3 points each)

Types of Microscope Description

1. Simple Microscope
2. Compound Microscope
3. Stereo Microscope
4. Digital Microscope
5. USB Computer Microscope
6. Electron Microscope
7. Metallurgical Microscope
8. Polarizing Microscope

 DO SOMETHING TODAY THAT YOU’RE FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU FOR 
 CONGRATULATIONS for finishing this Module, Keep up the good work! 

Rubric for QUIZ 4 and SEATWORK 3:

3 points Comprehensive answer and includes extensive information

2 points Well written answer but lacks analysis
1 point Lacks organization and uses a little information

Prepared by: JENNIFER Y. BAYAUA, LPT

Instructor

Reviewed/Approved: JEAN RUSSEL B. PAULMITAN, RCrim, MSCJ

Program Head, Criminology