Bulk and casework sized fragments have been inspected and gave interference fringes which provided a detailed representation of their surface topography. Preliminary studies showed that curved surfaces from tableware and bottles could be distinguished from plain sheet glass. To achieve precise sample alignment, new methods were developed for rapid sample mounting and inspection, including the construction of tilting stages and the modification of microscopes. The improvement in the rate of sample handling opens the way for casework applications and for survey work to evaluate the evidential value of the technique. (Publisher abstract)