Forensic Microscopy (571A/20)

> Do the West Midlands Police use tape lifting as part of forensic particle evidence investigations? If so, what tape is used.
> Do the West Midlands Police use optical (compound) microscopy as part of forensic particle evidence investigations?
> Do the West Midlands Police use a database of particles and or particle characteristics within your forensic particle analysis work, if so, what databases do the West Midlands Police use?
> Do the West Midlands Police maintain a reference collection of particles for comparison within the forensic trace analysis work, if so, how many specimens are maintained approximately (ball-park) and who created them (again very general information would be very welcome).
> In the event that neither a database or reference collection are contained, then how is a definitive particle identity confirmed.

On 18^th August 2020 we sent the following clarification:

> Question 5: In the event that neither a database or reference collection are contained, then how is a definitive particle identity confirmed.

CLARIFICATION REQUIRED

I am writing to ask you to clarify your request. This is because or we are not certain that we have understood your request correctly].

Therefore I should be grateful if you would provide an explanation as to what information you specifically require in question 5.

Question 5 isn’t valid under s8(1)(c) freedom of information act – as it doesn’t specify what recorded information you require. I am therefore clarifying this point.

You replied on 18^th august 2020:

“What recordable information do analysts use to identify the nature of particles under the microscope apart from databases and physical thin section specimens; in particular, do the analysts use books, journals and other media to make the positive ID of particles, or are these findings simply based on analyst experience? ”