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TECHNIQUE FOR THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF ILLICITLY MADE TABLETS

NCJ Number
30854
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1975) Pages: 219-226
Author(s)
P J GOMM
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A TECHNIQUE IS DESCRIBED FOR THE ACCURATE MEASUREMENT AND COMPARISON OF THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ILLICITLY MADE TABLETS USING A PROJECTINA COMPARISON MICROSCOPE AND A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED TABLET-MOUNTING DEVICE.
Abstract
THE EXAMINATION OF TABLET SHAPE HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A VALUABLE MEANS OF PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION WHEN COMPARING TABLETS. THE METHOD DESCRIBED USING THE PROJECTINA MICROSCOPE FOR PROJECTION OF THE TABLET IMAGE IN THE FORM OF A SILHOUETTE PROVIDES A MEANS FOR COMPARISON OF LIKE TABLETS AND THE ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF THE FINE DETAIL IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL PARAMETERS OF DIAMETER AND THICKNESS. THIS TECHNIQUE GREATLY REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF TABLET HANDLING REQUIRED AND HENCE THE RISK OF INTRODUCING EXTRANEOUS MARKS WHICH WOULD INTERFERE WITH A SUBSEQUENT LOW POWER MCRIOSCOPICAL EXAMINATION FOR PUNCH MARKS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)