What needs to be clarified
Determine whether the submitted deposit contains fungal structures, describe their condition, and separate observations from assumptions about the stain's origin.
Materials to prepare
- Separately packed book with the stained and adjacent intact areas marked
- Dated photographs of the binding before wiping, with a scale
- Discovery record describing storage, movement and cleaning
What to compare
Record the distribution, then select microscopy areas while protecting the document. Compare the stain and neighbouring surface for paper fibres, dust and fungal structures. Document sampling, slide preparation and the possible effects of wiping separately.
Possible outcome of the analysis
A report may include micrographs, descriptions and an assessment of whether fungal deposit is supported, identifying examined areas and unanswered questions.
Limits of the conclusions
One sample cannot establish when the deposit appeared, its spore source or risk to an individual. A cleaned negative area cannot represent the whole archive.