Forensic geology in serious crime investigation

CSI, Silent Witness, and a host of other recent television dramas have highlighted the role of science in serious crime investigation and detection. Although many ‘real’ forensic scientists wince at the media portrayal of their discipline, the programmes have led to a wider understanding of the role of different branches of science in criminal investigations. This is not always a good thing, as ‘career’ or ‘professional’ criminals will work very hard at being forensically aware to avoid detection, hence any credible forensic scientist might want to be at best a little reticent as to what they do and how they do it. However, in the UK court system evidence presented by the Prosecution team has to be disclosed to the defence and to be open to challenge in court. This article aims to show, in the broadest of terms, how geology is becoming used increasingly in the detection of serious crime.