The Applications of forensic Geology to Police and Law Enforcement Investigations

The presentation will include an overview of the original and historical development of forensic geology, since the early part of the 1800s to present day. The presentation will also focus on crime scene examination, geological trace evidence and  how geologists working with the police search the ground for burials related to homicide and to locate buried objects associated with serious and organised crime and counterterrorism.  Throughout, there will be international operational case examples provided to demonstrate how forensic geologists  support criminal investigations.  The final part of the presentation will focus on illegal mining and the international trading of illicit minerals and associated crime such as money laundering, smuggling, theft, adulteration and substitution of precious minerals and metals, diamonds, gemstones and fossils. An overview will be presented on the establishment of the Geological Society of London, Forensic Geoscience Group (GSL-FGG) and the IUGS Initiative on Forensic Geology (IFG).