An Introduction to Forensic Geoscience / Edition 1

by Elisa Bergslien

Overview

An Introduction to Forensic Geoscience provides fundamental training in geoscience as developed through the lens of its forensic applications. It incorporates a range of topics including geophysical methods of grave detection, the mineralogy of art, identification of microfossils, and comparison of soil trace evidence samples. Each topic is introduced using core concepts that are developed with increasing complexity in order to give readers an understanding of the underlying scientific principles involved and a taste of the wide range of possible forensic uses. A variety of detailed reference tables have been compiled for the text and each chapter contains lists of references to applicable textbooks and journal articles. Examples of real criminal cases are also presented in each chapter to make the connections between theory and real world application. The goal of this book is to give readers a familiarity with the wide range of ways in which geoscience principles and geological materials can be utilized forensically.

Additional resources for this book can be found at: http://www.wiley.com/go/bergslien/forensicgeoscience.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118227954
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/30/2012
Pages:	520
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Elisa Bergslien is an Associate Professor at Buffalo State College. With a background in contaminant hydrogeology, she has been involved with the environmental law aspects of geology for years. In 2005, she begin teaching a Forensic Geoscience course as an elective for a well established Forensic Chemistry program and has been involved in research developing the science behind many of the assumptions used in forensic trace evidence examination. She is currently serving as the Information Officer for the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Initiative on Forensic Geology.

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Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures vii 

List of Color Plates xxv 

List of Cases xxviii 

Preface xxx 

Acknowledgments xxxii 

1 A Brief History of Forensic Science and Crime Scene Basics1

Scene of the Crime 14 

Processing the Crime Scene 16 

Types of Evidence 20 

Further Reading 22 

References 23 

2 Minerals: The Basic Building Blocks of Geology24

Mineralogical Fraud 24 

Minerals 29 

Types of Bonding 34 

Mineral Groups 43 

Properties of Minerals 46 

Summary 62 

Further Reading 62 

References 62 

3 Rocks: Storybooks of the Earth63

The Rock Cycle 65 

Properties of Rocks 67 

Igneous Rocks 69 

Sedimentary Rocks 78 

Metamorphic Rocks 93 

Summary 102 

Further Reading 102 

References 102 

4 Maps: Getting a Sense of Place103

Global Location Systems 104 

Maps in the United Kingdom 115 

The Global Positioning System 115 

Maps 117 

Remote Sensing and Other Resources 127 

Summary 130 

Further Reading 130 

References 131 

5 Sand: To See the World in a Grain of Sand132

An Introduction to Sand 137 

Characterizing Sand 139 

Surface Features 152 

Sample Collection 155 

Sample Preparation 156 

The Stereomicroscope 157 

Forensic Examination of Sand 157 

Common Minerals 159 

Less Common Minerals 160 

Opaque Minerals 160 

Anthropogenic Materials 160 

Summary 163 

Further Reading 165 

References 166 

6 Gems and Gemstones: Those Most Precious of all Minerals168

An Introduction to Gemstones 170 

Crystal Forms 171 

The Petrographic Microscope 175 

Light and the Optical Properties of Minerals 177 

The Forensic Identification of Glass 182 

More Optical Properties 187 

Isotropic versus Anisotropic Minerals 191 

Anisotropic Crystals 193 

Other Important Properties of Gems and Gemstones 201 

Identifying Gems and Gemstones 202 

Organic Gemstones 216 

Summary 218 

Further Reading 218 

References 218 

7 Soil: Getting the Dirt on Crime220

Introduction to Soils 223 

Soil Horizons 223 

Soil Origins 225 

Phyllosilicates (Sheet Silicates) 227 

Some Important Clay Minerals 231 

Soil Classification 237 

Soil Color 237 

Soil Moisture 242 

Particle Size 243 

Sample Collection 245 

Simplified Manual Dry Sieve Method for Particle Size Analysis 246 

Soil Classification Schemes 249 

Soil Survey Maps 251 

USDA Textural Classification 252 

The ASTM Unified Soil Classification System (USCS): D-2487 253 

Scene Examination 256 

Visual Examination of Soil Evidence 256 

Examination Procedures for Soil Samples 257 

An Introduction to X-ray Diffraction Spectrometry (XRD) 264 

Interpreting a Diffraction Pattern 272 

Summary 279 

Further Reading 279 

References 279 

8 The Geology of Art281

Geologic Media and Art Forgery 285 

Mineral Pigments 287 

Black Pigments 289 

White Pigments 290 

Earth Colors: Red Yellow Orange and Brown Pigments 295 

Blue Pigments 298 

Green Pigments 302 

Collecting a Sample for Microscopic Examination (McCrone 1982) 305 

Raman Spectroscopy 307 

Chromatography 312 

Inks 314 

Summary 314 

Further Reading 314 

References 315 

9 Fossils and Microfossils: Traces of Life317

Geologic Time and Index Fossils 317 

An Introduction to Fossils 322 

A Brief Introduction to the Classification of Fossils 329 

Invertebrate Paleontology 332 

Micropaleontology 354 

Collection and Treatment 358 

Scanning Electron Microscope 368 

Is It Legal to Take This Fossil? 378 

Rare-earth Elements 379 

Summary 379 

References 380 

10 Geology and People: Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Archeology383

Locating Ground Disturbances 384 

Search 385 

Geophysical Tools 390 

Magnetometry 390 

Electrical Resistivity (ER) 400 

Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) 408 

Specialized EMI: Metal Detectors 411 

Ground-penetrating Radar (GPR) 412 

Search and Post-search Operations 423 

Elemental and Mineralogical Analysis of Human Bone 424 

Summary 428 

Further Reading 428 

References 428 

11 Environmental Forensics: Tracking Pollution to its Source431

Water: Our Most Precious Natural Resource 433 

Surface Water 434 

Clean Water Act 436 

CERCLA and SARA 440 

Groundwater 440 

Contaminant Hydrogeology 448 

Safe Drinking Water Act 450 

Water-quality Measurements 450 

Field Water-quality Measurements 452 

Water Contamination 455 

Analytical Techniques for Chemical Fingerprinting 462 

Isotopes in the Environment 463 

Summary 470 

References 471 

Index 472 

Editorial Reviews

"Overall, the book is well produced on acid-free, high-quality paper. In addition to the colour plates (also available online), there are many helpful line drawings and a host of Tables with useful information. I suggest that even professional geoscientists involved in forensic work might welcome this book as an aide-memoire. In addition, it is very good value at the price." (Soil Use and Management, 1 December 2012)

"The well-written book contains a wealth of information in the form of determinative tables and illustrations. Anyone interested in geology and forensics will find this a useful resource. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners." (Choice, 1 November 2012)

"Apart introducing the interested layman to the fascinating applications of geoforensics, An Introduction to Forensic Geoscience can also be used by teachers and undergraduate students of earth sciences as resourceful 'physical geology' textbook, even if the book addresses the U.S. market, as many cited laws or classification schemes are valid only in the States.
Students or professionals in forensic sciences will profit from an easily accessible text to geological concepts, which emphasize the strengths – but also the limitations – of geology applied to the prosecution of crimes." (David Bressan, Scientific American, 11 October 2012)

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