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Updated: May 29, 2026

Multimodal Optical Microscopy Methods Reveal Polyp Tissue Morphology and Structure in Caribbean Reef Building Corals
Published on: September 5, 2014
Forensic analysis of black coral (Order Antipatharia)
Edgard O Espinoza1, Michael D Scanlan, Pamela J McClure
1U.S. National Fish & Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 1490 East Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520-1310, USA. Ed_Espinoza@fws.gov
Abstract:
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), discriminate analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and stereoscopic microscopy were used to separate black coral forensic evidence items from similarly appearing items manufactured from plastics, bovid keratin, and mangrove wood. In addition, novel observations were made of bromine and iodine relationships in black coral that have not been previously reported.

