Most objective biological, chemical and physical testing is destructive. Things have to be sampled, dried, ground up, weighed, dissolved, digested, absorbed, etc. to obtain the best scientific answer. However, microscopy can characterize and define at the cellular and sub-cellular levels without obvious destruction. The analytical methods and techniques used are essentially non-destructive for micro-analyses of legal and problematic food and related samples. Thus there are few to no adverse effects on samples when only a tiny fragment or sliver is required for analysis. Our methods leave approximately 95% or more of a sample intact for additional testing or when required as an exhibit in the courtroom. We have specialized in these non-destructive microscopic methods and have, by necessity, developed and continue to develop new ways to examine samples without damaging them. We obviously could not destroy a sample that might be evidence or that was needed for subsequent examination and verification by others. Understand that it may be necessary to remove a tiny fragment of the sample object for examination, but generally less than a fraction of 1% of the entire sample is used for each test. In most cases we are able to examine and run biochemical reactions on the surfaces of the samples without changing the sample in any significant way, however a trace of discoloration may remain on the surface.
