Forensic Geoscience Group
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).
To find out more about Forensic geology, please download the poster below:
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).
To find out more about Forensic geology, please download the poster below:
- Download the FGG poster (.pdf 271 Kb)
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
Dr Laurance J DonnellyHalcrow Group Limited
Deanway Technology Centre
Wilmslow Road
Handforth
Cheshire
SK9 3FB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01625 540 456
Fax: 01625 549 325
Email: ldonnelly@wardell-armstrong.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
Alastair RuffellSchool of Geography
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
BT7 1NN
Northern Ireland
Tel: +44 (0)2890 973407
Fax: +44 (0)2890 321280
Email: A.Ruffell@qub.ac.uk
Treasurer
Kym JarvisImperial College Centre for Environmental Policy
Room 108
Manor House
Silwood Park, Ascot
SL5 7PY
Tel: 07764 943387
Email: K.jarvis@imperial.ac.uk
Co-opted member
Ruth MorganUCL Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science University College London
Second Floor Brook House
2-16 Torrington Place
London
EC1E 7HN
Tel: 020 3108 3037
Email: ruth.morgan@ucl.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
Web: www.keele.ac.uk/eesg/people/pringle/