Forensic Geoscience Group
Forensic Geoscience
There are a number of geologists in the UK, and internationally, who currently work with, or have recently worked with the police, other law-enforcers, environmental agencies & humanitarian organisations to help bring some types of crimes to successful conclusions. Some geoscientists have also been involved in forensic investigations in the mining, engineering, minerals & water sectors of industry, or during the investigations of geohazards (also known as natural disasters). The common ground for all these sub-disciplines is that geoscience practice and results may end up as part of a public, international or legal enquiry by government or in courts of law.
Forensic Geoscientists may be broadly divided into two principal fields, depending on their skills, expertise and capabilities. Firstly, there are the laboratory-based geologists who may include for example; geochemists, mineralogists, petrologists, micro-palaeontologists and isotope specialists. These may be involved with forensic investigations to; provide physical evidence for use in court, assist in an investigation, provide intelligence or identify the location of a crime scene. In short, geoscientists may link an offender (or object) to the scene or link the victim to an offender. Secondly, there are field-based geologists, who use their skills in exploration (including for example; geophysics, geochemistry, geomorphology, hydrogeology, environmental geology, remote sensing and geotechnics) to search the ground (to locate murder victim’s graves, weapons and other objects).
Group Aims
- To advance the study and understanding of Forensic Geoscience;
- To create a network and framework of geoscientists;
- To review and share knowledge;
- To develop inter-disciplinary collaboration;
- To disseminate knowledge and information.
These will be achieved by:
- Holding meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops & field visits.
- Encourage and promote meetings with related forensic science groups.
- Encourage and promote meetings with related specialist groups within the Geological Society.
- Representing the interest & promoting the study and understanding of Forensic Geoscience nationally & internationally.
- Encouraging research, training and teaching in Forensic Geoscience.
- Promote the interests of professional, academic and practising forensic geoscientists & encourage Continuing Professional Development such other means as the Committee may think desirable, subject to the approval of the Council.
Chairman details
Chairman: Dr Laurance J DonnellyAddress: Halcrow Group Limited,
Deanway Technology Centre,
Wilmslow Road
Town: Handforth
County: Cheshire
Postcode: SK9 3FB
Country: United Kingdom
Telephone: 01625 540 456
Fax: 01625 549 325
Email: DonnellyLJ@halcrow.com
Other contacts
Secretary
Duncan PirrieCamborne School of Mines,
School of Geography, Archaeology
& Earth Resources
University of Exeter,
Cornwall Campus,
Penryn,
Cornwall,
TR10 9EZ,
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1326 371853
Fax: +44 (0)1326 371859
Email: dpirrie@csm.ex.ac.uk
Vice-Chair
Barry RawlinsBritish Geological Survey,
Keyworth, Nottingham,
Notts
NG2 6JJ
UK
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4877
Fax: +44 (0)131 650 6553
Email: bgr@bgs.ac.uk
Treasurer
Kym JarvisSchool of Earth Sciences and Geography,
Kingston University,
Penrhyn Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
Surrey
KT1 2EE
UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8547 2000
Fax: +44 (0)20 8547 7497
Email: K.jarvis@imperial.ac.uk
Co-opted member
Alastair RuffellSchool of Geography,
Queen's University Belfast,
Belfast
BT7 1NN,
Northern Ireland,
UK
Tel: +44 (0)2890 973407
Fax: +44 (0)2890 321280
Email: A.Ruffell@qub.ac.uk
Co-opted member
Jamie PringleSchool of Earth Sciences & Geography,
William Smith Building,
Keele University,
Keele,
STAFFS.
ST5 5BG.
UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1782 58 3163
Fax: +44 (0)1782 58 3737
Email: j.k.pringle@esci.keele.ac.uk