Forensic Geologist “…scientific application of earth sciences to legal matters.” Forensic geology began with the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the Sherlock Holmes series between 1887 to The idea of using science as an aid in criminal investigation was foreshadowed in his fictional works. “…scientific application of earth sciences to legal matters.” Forensic geology began with the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the Sherlock Holmes series between 1887 to The idea of using science as an aid in criminal investigation was foreshadowed in his fictional works.

By analyzing materials including a piece of industrial debris or coal, soil particles on shoes and clothing, type of rock, water chemistry, and/or other earth materials, forensic geologists often can help identify: where, when, and/or how incidents occurred and who is responsible.

Crime Scene Examples: Rape: Soil on clothing of a suspected rapist was used to place the suspect at the crime scene and to eliminate the suspect's alibi; small bits of coal in the soil sample from the suspects pant cuffs provided additional evidence when historical aerial photographs showed that coal was stored at the location of the rape. Murder: Soil and other earth materials found on murder victims have been used to determine the location of homicides, especially when the murder occurs in one location and the body is disposed in another location. And, using water-current measurements, forensic geologists have located bodies/objects thrown into water or, conversely, determined where the newly discovered body/object originally entered the water. Rape: Soil on clothing of a suspected rapist was used to place the suspect at the crime scene and to eliminate the suspect's alibi; small bits of coal in the soil sample from the suspects pant cuffs provided additional evidence when historical aerial photographs showed that coal was stored at the location of the rape. Murder: Soil and other earth materials found on murder victims have been used to determine the location of homicides, especially when the murder occurs in one location and the body is disposed in another location. And, using water-current measurements, forensic geologists have located bodies/objects thrown into water or, conversely, determined where the newly discovered body/object originally entered the water.

Forensic geologists must be familiar with data collection and analysis; selection of investigative methods; and multiple working hypotheses. Evaluations often are circumstantial or anecdotal, rather than direct. Conclusions are based on several lines of evidence for which the simplest causal explanation is invoked and tested. Forensic geologists must also Infer conclusions from limited data sets and must always consider scale, relative position, and timing of relationships. FORENSIC GEOLOGY may be the next big potential area of employment for professional geologists. The leap from environmental geology to forensic geology is not far, considering the similar investigative techniques, technologies, and reasoning. Education: Master’s degree or a PhD in geology Most have full-time jobs at a research university or in other areas of geology and consult part-time in forensic geology. Forensic geologists must be familiar with data collection and analysis; selection of investigative methods; and multiple working hypotheses. Evaluations often are circumstantial or anecdotal, rather than direct. Conclusions are based on several lines of evidence for which the simplest causal explanation is invoked and tested. Forensic geologists must also Infer conclusions from limited data sets and must always consider scale, relative position, and timing of relationships. FORENSIC GEOLOGY may be the next big potential area of employment for professional geologists. The leap from environmental geology to forensic geology is not far, considering the similar investigative techniques, technologies, and reasoning. Education: Master’s degree or a PhD in geology Most have full-time jobs at a research university or in other areas of geology and consult part-time in forensic geology. Main Sources: and A Career in Forensic Geology: