Product Review
Leica
FS C Forensic Comparison Macroscope
by Scott Doyle
Alternatives
About the only alternative of the Leica FS
C, besides Leica's DM C, is the Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. Forensic
Comparison Macroscope.
Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Leeds
manufactures a comparison macroscope using Olympus zoom optics similar to those
used in the Leica DM C. They manufacture a custom optical bridge and table
to provide a very well made product to firearm and toolmark examiners.
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Kevin Boulay, who is the Forensic Product
Manager for Leeds, was kind enough to bring one of their comparison scopes to
the lab for a demo. Myself and the other examiners in our system gave the
scope a good going over and found it to be a solid competitor to the Leica
scopes.
When I was in Quantico, VA earlier this year for
the dedication of the FBI's new Forensic Laboratory I saw that the FBI had
purchased around eight of the Leeds comparison scopes for their examiners.
That's a picture of one of the new scopes on the right that I took while on my
tour of the new FBI lab.
Advantages...
The Leeds scope will cost a little less
than a comparatively equipped Leica FS C.
Customer service also appears to be a plus
with the Leeds company. With the scopes being manufactured in the USA
Leeds can respond quickly to problems that may arise. In fact,
suggestions we made to Mr. Boulay during his visit were later incorporated into
the design of newer scopes. That's says a lot for their desire to make a
good product and to listen to the needs of their customers.
Disadvantages...
Well, there were no real problems found
with the Leeds comparison scope. We decided to eventually go with the
Leica product more on the overall engineering and automation capabilities of the FS C.
The FS C is built from the ground up to be nothing but a Forensic Comparison
Macroscope. The Leeds Macroscope was a conglomeration of off-the-shelf
microscope parts and custom made parts.
Bottom Line...
Leeds makes a good scope that should not
disappoint any firearm examiner. If your purchasing needs dictate lower
costs and if you are someone who values good customer support, you probably
can't go wrong with the Leeds Comparison Macroscope.
Scott Doyle - 11/17/03
Cost:
Around $45 thousand for the base
system with light sources and accessories
Add another $5-10 thousand for digital imaging systems
Contact Info:
Kevin Boulay, Forensic
Product Manager
Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc.
800 Boone Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Web:
www.leedsmicro.com
Phone: 1-800-444-5333
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