Geoscientists at Crime Scenes (eBook)

Preface Chapter 1 – Introduction to forensic geoscience 1.1 The Applications of forensic geoscience 1.2 Crime Scene Investigations 1.3 The geo-scientific approach to crime scene Chapter 2 - Geological materials on the crime scene 2.1 Minerals 2.2 Rocks 2.3 Sands 2.4 Dusts 2.5 Soils 2.6 Gems 2.7 Precious metals Chapter 3 - Pedology applied to forensics 3.1 Characteristics of forensic soils 3.2 Interdisciplinary in studies and forensic soil science analysis 3.3 The site survey in forensic soil science applications 3.4 The collection of evidence and preservation of traces of soil samples 3.5 The effects of wrong methods and operations during site surveys and evidence collection 3.6 Issues related to traces of soil Chapter 4 - Forensic Analysis of Soils and Geological Materials 4.1 Forensic laboratory analytical procedures for soils 4.2 Color analysis 4.3 The particle size analysis 4.4 Density analysis 4.5 Stereoscopic microscope analysis 4.6 Analysis by means of the polarizing microscope 4.7 X-ray diffraction analysis 4.8 SEM-EDX spectroscopy 4.9 Raman Spectroscopy 4.10 FT-IR spectroscopy 4.11 Thermal analysis Chapter 5 - Remote sensing applications in forensic investigations 5.1 Photointerpretation 5.2 Aerial photo parameters 5.3 Forensic photo-interpretation Appendix - A brief history of aerial photography in Italy Chapter 6 - Forensic Geomorphology 6.1. Overview 6.2. Principles and concepts of geomorphology 6.3. Geomorphological surveying 6.4. Determining the activity state of landforms 6.5. The detection of surface deposits Chapter 7 - Environmental Forensics 7.1 Inspections and historical research 7.2 Aerial photos and satellite footage 7.3 GPS surveys and DTM 7.4 Operating modes of sample collection 7.5 Packaging and transport 7.6 Worksite operating issues 7.7. Forensic environmental expert's activities Chapter 8 - Forensic Geophysics 8.1 Forensic geophysics 8.2 Pros and Cons of forensic geophysics 8.3 Cadaver dogs 8.4 Survey criticalities Appendix - How does GPR work Chapter 9 - Forensic Archaeology 9.1 Forensic archeology 9.2 Stratigraphic excavations at the crime scene 9.3 Forensic Archaeology and the integrated approach 9.4 Survey criticalities Chapter 10 - Quality, Expertise, and Ethics in Forensic Geoscience