9:55 AM - 10:10 AM
[MGI31-03] Invitation to Forensic Geology
Keywords:foresic geology, contribution, education, research
Forensic geology is the applications of geology in policing and law enforcement, and is broadly divided into three categories: analysis of geological trace evidence, ground search for burials, and crime scene investigations [1, 2]. Many research results related to forensic geology have been published in international journals of forensic science.
Geology widely contributes to infrastructure development, such as that of dams and transportation networks. Research findings obtained from various surveys in the event of disasters, are published not only in academic conferences and journals but also in newspapers and magazines. However, forensic geology that concerns incidents and accidents is hardly noticeable or taken into consideration because of the difficulty in discussing individual cases.
The demand and opportunities for accessing forensic science has been drastically growing since the practice of the lay judge system in 2009, and the rise of the need to promote scientific investigations in Japan. The abovementioned information points to the need of expanding the role of geology in society, as well as strengthening the development of research and education on forensic geology. Hence, forensic science should to be recognized more as a field of geology that has very vital contribution to society. Geologists who aren’t familiar to forensic geology may be asked by investigators, defense counsels, or the court to give their expert opinions on some crimes, accidents, or on various geological incidents that have legal implications. Perhaps, some geologists may have already practiced forensic geology without clear recognition.
In Europe, the USA, and some other countries, universities, public or private institutes as well as law enforcement agencies have been involved in research and case works. In addition, the International Union of Geological Sciences’ (IUGS) Initiative on Forensic Geology (IFG), an international organization of forensic geology, is actively promoting forensic geology [1]. However, there are only few universities that offer lectures on forensic science in Japan, and little is known regarding terms like “forensic science” and “forensic geology.”
In this presentation, we will introduce research examples that will encourage those who are inclined toward forensic geology. We think that forensic geology comprises an interesting myriad of applications of the knowledge and techniques in geology, and expertise in this field is essential and plays a vital role in the human existence.
[1] IUGS-IFG https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iugs/
[2] Sugita, Kawamura and Kumisaka (2020) Jour. Geol. Soc. Japan, vol. 126, 407-410.
Geology widely contributes to infrastructure development, such as that of dams and transportation networks. Research findings obtained from various surveys in the event of disasters, are published not only in academic conferences and journals but also in newspapers and magazines. However, forensic geology that concerns incidents and accidents is hardly noticeable or taken into consideration because of the difficulty in discussing individual cases.
The demand and opportunities for accessing forensic science has been drastically growing since the practice of the lay judge system in 2009, and the rise of the need to promote scientific investigations in Japan. The abovementioned information points to the need of expanding the role of geology in society, as well as strengthening the development of research and education on forensic geology. Hence, forensic science should to be recognized more as a field of geology that has very vital contribution to society. Geologists who aren’t familiar to forensic geology may be asked by investigators, defense counsels, or the court to give their expert opinions on some crimes, accidents, or on various geological incidents that have legal implications. Perhaps, some geologists may have already practiced forensic geology without clear recognition.
In Europe, the USA, and some other countries, universities, public or private institutes as well as law enforcement agencies have been involved in research and case works. In addition, the International Union of Geological Sciences’ (IUGS) Initiative on Forensic Geology (IFG), an international organization of forensic geology, is actively promoting forensic geology [1]. However, there are only few universities that offer lectures on forensic science in Japan, and little is known regarding terms like “forensic science” and “forensic geology.”
In this presentation, we will introduce research examples that will encourage those who are inclined toward forensic geology. We think that forensic geology comprises an interesting myriad of applications of the knowledge and techniques in geology, and expertise in this field is essential and plays a vital role in the human existence.
[1] IUGS-IFG https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iugs/
[2] Sugita, Kawamura and Kumisaka (2020) Jour. Geol. Soc. Japan, vol. 126, 407-410.