Method and apparatus for detecting microscope slide coverslips

An apparatus for automatically discerning a number of coverslips comprising:

• an ultraviolet light source for producing ultraviolet light;
• an ultraviolet light detector for detecting ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source;
• and
• a transfer mechanism for bringing the number of coverslips into proximity with the ultraviolet light source and the ultraviolet light detector, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to direct ultraviolet light through at least a portion of a coverslip testing region and the ultraviolet detector is configured to detect ultraviolet light passing through the coverslip testing region to discern the number of coverslips in the coverslip testing region.