Potential and pitfalls in establishing the provenance of earth-related samples in forensic investigations

Rawlins, Barry G.; Kemp, Simon J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4604-0927; Hodgkinson, Emily H.; Riding, James B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5529-8989; Vane, Christopher H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8150-3640; Poulton, Catherine; Freeborough, Katy. 2006 Potential and pitfalls in establishing the provenance of earth-related samples in forensic investigations. Journal of Forensic Science, 51 (4). 832-845. 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00152.x

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Abstract/Summary

Earth scientists are often asked to establish or constrain the likely provenance of very small quantities of earth-related material as part of a forensic investigation. We tested the independent and collective interpretations of four experts with differing analytical skills in the prediction of sample provenance for three samples from different environmental settings. The methods used were X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the assessment of pollen assemblages, and structural characterization of organic matter at the molecular level. Independent interpretations were less accurate than those where multiple techniques were combined. Collective interpretation was very effective in the assessment of provenance for two of the three sites where the mineralogy and plant communities were distinctive. At the other site, although the mineralogical analysis correctly identified the Triassic mudstone soil parent material, Carboniferous spores from domestic coal were initially interpreted as deriving directly from bedrock. Such an interpretation could be a common pitfall owing to anthropogenic redistribution of material such as coal.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00152.x
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > Sustainable Soils
Format Availability:	Electronic, Print
Additional Keywords:	BGSPAP ; Forensic geology ; DRSSII, Forsensic science, soil, palynology, mineralogy
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Earth Sciences
Date made live:	23 Jul 2007 11:35 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/215

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