Geological and Soil Evidence: Forensic Applications

Introduction: The Nature and Development of Forensic Geology The Nature of Forensic Geology and Forensic Soil Science Development of the Use of Geological and Soil Materials as Trace Evidence Other Types of Geoscience Data Useful in Forensic Investigations Types of Geological and Soil Materials That May be Useful as Trace Evidence Overview of Material Types and Available Analytical Strategies Rocks Sediments Soils Dusts and Particulates Minerals Glasses and Other Amorphous Materials Fossils Anthropogenic Materials Bulk Properties of Geological and Soil Materials Physical Characteristics Chemical Characteristics Mineralogical Characteristics Bulk Organic Matter Characteristics Properties of Individual Particles Introduction Particle Size Particle Shape Surface Texture Characterization of Particle Morphology Using Fourier Analysis, Fractal Analysis, and Fourier Descriptors Three-Dimensional Particle Shape Analysis Using X-Ray Tomography and Laser Profilometry Color Luminescence Properties Composite Characterization of Particles and Objects Elemental Composition Isotopic Composition Mineralogical Identification and Characterization of Noncrystalline Materials Micro-Fabric of Rocks and Soils Identification and Characterization of Organic Particles Sampling and Sample Handling The Nature of Samples and Their Limitations General Sampling Guidance Sampling Strategies for Control Samples Size and Type of Sample Sampling Tools and Sample Containers Sample Labeling and Associated Information Sample Storage Questioned Soil Samples from Items Submitted for Forensic Examination Evaluation of the Significance of Geological and Soil Evidence General Procedures and Principles Exploratory Data Analysis "Classical" Hypothesis Testing Correlation and Regression Analysis Multivariate Analysis Combined Approaches Assessment of Coincidence Probabilities and Likelihood Ratios Direct Data Comparison: Deciding If Two Samples are Indistinguishable, Similar, or Different Use of Multi-Technique Comparison Data to Determine Exclusion/Include Geological and Soil Databases and Database Interrogation Evaluation of the Overall Strength of Geological and Soil Evidence The Future References Index