Geoscientists at Crime Scenes: A Companion to Forensic Geoscience

ISBN-13: 9783319863108 / Angielski / Miękka / 2018 / 237 str.

Rosa Maria Di Maggio; Pier Matteo Barone

Recenzje

"In this work, the science of forensics is brought to life with representative case histories, which are very well elucidated. Overall, this is an outstanding book in a nascent profession that, thus far, offers minimal writing, making this book an essential reference. Summing Up: Essential. Upper-division undergraduates and above; faculty and professionals." (T. L. T. Grose, Choice, Vol. 55 (6), February, 2018)

Spis treści

Preface
Chapter 1 – Introduction to forensic geoscience
1.1 The Applications of forensic geoscience
1.2 Crime Scene Investigations
1.3 The geo-scientific approach to crime scene
Chapter 2 - Geological materials on the crime scene
2.1 Minerals
2.2 Rocks
2.3 Sands
2.4 Dusts
2.5 Soils
2.6 Gems
2.7 Precious metals
Chapter 3 - Pedology applied to forensics
3.1 Characteristics of forensic soils
3.2 Interdisciplinary in studies and forensic soil science analysis
3.3 The site survey in forensic soil science applications
3.4 The collection of evidence and preservation of traces of soil samples
3.5 The effects of wrong methods and operations during site surveys and evidence collection
3.6 Issues related to traces of soil
Chapter 4 - Forensic Analysis of Soils and Geological Materials
4.1 Forensic laboratory analytical procedures for soils 4.2 Color analysis
4.3 The particle size analysis
4.4 Density analysis
4.5 Stereoscopic microscope analysis
4.6 Analysis by means of the polarizing microscope
4.7 X-ray diffraction analysis
4.8 SEM-EDX spectroscopy
4.9 Raman Spectroscopy
4.10 FT-IR spectroscopy
4.11 Thermal analysis
Chapter 5 - Remote sensing applications in forensic investigations
5.1 Photointerpretation
5.2 Aerial photo parameters
5.3 Forensic photo-interpretation
Appendix - A brief history of aerial photography in Italy
Chapter 6 - Forensic Geomorphology
6.1. Overview
6.2. Principles and concepts of geomorphology
6.3. Geomorphological surveying
6.4. Determining the activity state of landforms
6.5. The detection of surface deposits
Chapter 7 - Environmental Forensics
7.1 Inspections and historical research
7.2 Aerial photos and satellite footage
7.3 GPS surveys and DTM
7.4 Operating modes of sample collection
7.5 Packaging and transport
7.6 Worksite operating issues
7.7. Forensic environmental expert's activities
Chapter 8 - Forensic Geophysics
8.1 Forensic geophysics
8.2 Pros and Cons of forensic geophysics
8.3 Cadaver dogs
8.4 Survey criticalities
Appendix - How does GPR work
Chapter 9 - Forensic Archaeology
9.1 Forensic archeology
9.2 Stratigraphic excavations at the crime scene
9.3 Forensic Archaeology and the integrated approach
9.4 Survey criticalities
Chapter 10 - Quality, Expertise, and Ethics in Forensic Geoscience

Blurb

After the publication of the first Italian book on Forensic Geoscience: “Geologia Forense” (Di Maggio, Barone, et al. 2013, Flaccovio Ed.), the international demand to have an International version (in English language) about the new applications of this topic carried out in Italy and the possibility to apply them in international contexts encouraged us to create a new English book based on this.

If forensic science is the application of technical and scientific methodologies applied to traditional categories of judicial investigations, in connection with the investigation of a crime or a social behavior, within them a special role is held by forensic geoscience, or the application of different disciplines of Earth Sciences in judicial contexts.

Forensic geoscience encompasses some branches of the earth sciences such as geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, geophysics, remote sensing, soil science and archaeology, whose applications may provide a suitable or appropriate environmental interpretation of the surroundings, in the context of numerous types of offences, both criminal and civil.

The environmental context can become part of the crime narrative in diverse situations: it can be the place where to hide a body or precious objects, or it may be a witness to a crime. Given the nature of many crime narratives carried out in outdoor areas, the environment, as it is not a closed system, plays a dual role, passive and active. Passive in the sense that it may be the principal repository of clues and evidence that both the victim and/or offender may have been present in a given location. Active since it can be the protagonist of the crime narrative, where, for example, it may have been abused in the design and construction phases of landfill or architectural structures, but also when it leaves proof marks on clothing and objects, such as the soil found on footwear.

Police and other law enforcement organization are increasingly becoming more dependent on the expertise that can be provided by forensic geoscience. As such, forensic geoscientists are therefore likely to continue in the years ahead providing an important role assisting with certain types of criminal investigations. It is therefore expected that this book will be of value to forensic geologists, forensic archaeologists, forensic scientists, environmental scientists, geophysicists, geomorphologists, police officers, law enforcement officers and students. Accordingly, Geoscientist at Crime Scenes provides information and a valuable collection of cases that are relevant for the professional and practicable applications of geoscience to policing and law enforcement. This book should be in the collection of every forensic geo-scientist throughout the world.