FORENSIC GEOLOGY: Geology’s Contribution to Forensic Science

By

John W. Lindemann, CPG

Forensic geology constitutes any aspect of geologic science that becomes the subject of public debate within a court of law.  Forensic geology applies the defining principles of the geologic sciences to the identification/evaluation of geologic materials that may be related to a forensic circumstance. Forensic geology also applies these defining principles to the establishment of an accurate geologic context of a forensic scene or site. Evaluation and substantiation of compliance with laws, procedures, standards, and ethics relative to professional practice falls within the purview of forensic geology.

The scope of forensic geology is made apparent by the interconnected geologic and legal implications posed by the following questions:

• What is this material?

• Where did this material come from?

• Is this material unique to a crime scene or unique to circumstances under which a criminal act was committed?

• What is the geologic context of a crime scene and what are the ramifications of this context relative to the containment, preservation, and recovery of evidentiary material that may include weapons, remains, and personal effects?

• How is the geologic context of a forensic site or potential forensic site going to influence the methods used to address the broader forensic questions posed by the site?

• How do the geological characteristics of a clandestine gravesite relate to the conditions and circumstances of burial?

• Were established laws, ethical standards, and procedures employed in the execution and implementation of the geologic aspects of a given project or concern?

The practical aspect of forensic geology involves the direct application of geologic principles, practices, and procedures to an array of forensic problems and legal issues. Geology is in part, a collaborative science drawing on other scientific disciplines to support, to expand, and to help define the principles on which geologic science is based. Forensic geology is equally collaborative in character.  Forensic geology should be viewed as only one of a number of technical and scientific disciplines involved in the elucidation of any given forensic problem. In certain instances, the ultimate answer to a forensic question may be identifiably and absolutely geologic in nature as in the case of materials identification and characterization. In other instances, geology may contribute to the solution of a forensic problem such as in the location of a clandestine gravesite or buried evidence where geophysics, remote sensing, image interpretation, botany, entomology, canine sweep, and/or witness interrogation play equally important roles.

Forensic geology also encompasses the interpretation and application of established laws, professional procedures, codes of ethics, and standards of performance under forensic circumstances and controversy.  Expert testimony and legal debate help define, substantiate, and in some cases, help revise and modify such laws, procedures, codes, and standards as applied generally to the earth sciences.

All forensic geologic activity must be conducted within the context of accepted legal parameters pertaining to such concepts as legal sufficiency of evidence; chain of custody of evidence; protocols relative to the collection, preservation, and validation of evidence; and, crime scene discipline and protocol.