Palynology
A forensic palynologist is a particular specialism of botany that involves the study of pollen grains and spores as trace evidence (Walsh and Harrocks, 2003). Any person in the particular vicinity of a plant releasing palynomorphs may acquire them on their clothing, hair, body and in their nostrils, ears and lungs. The palynological profile can be highly accurate to a specific location and useful in placing people or objects at a scene as well as determining the time of year. The diversity of the palinological profile can vary to within a few meters within the same area. It is possible to retrieve ...
Ultraviolet light search
Ultraviolet light has a number of applications in forensic analysis and search including authenticating paintings, illuminating trace evidence and fingerprints. It can also be used during a search for skeletal remains. [caption id="attachment_169" align="alignright" width="300" caption="UV fluorescence of burnt bone"][/caption] Ultraviolet light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength (between 10 and 400 nm) than the visible light spectrum and is naturally present in sunlight. It is used in various ways such as blacklights in bars, sunbeds and portable torches that can be used in forensics. The radiating energy produced from the source will cause a fluorescence in ...
How to get into Forensic Archaeology
If you are interested in and thinking about pursuing a career in forensic archaeology these tips should guide you in the right direction. The first thing you should do is to find out as much information as possible about this field from different sources. This may include search engines, official organisations, university sites, books and journals and talking to people. To get into forensic archaeology you would need to start with studying sciences at school. You would then normally be required to have a science related undergraduate degree (biosciences, forensics or archaeology) and either a masters or phd that can be in ...
Excavation Methods
Once an area of interest has been identified through proper search techniques and often with help of police informants, any artefacts or remains should be excavated in a way that maximises the recovery of such evidence while minimising intrusion. By nature excavatation is a destructive and unrepeatable event and while there are a number of methods that have been used historically (pedestalling - which in some parts of the world is still used) the most accepted technique used today is stratigraphic excavation. Stratigraphic excavation involves unearthing the various layers of a context (i.e. graves dug on top of one another) in ...
Overuse of the term ‘forensic’
The definition of “forensic” literally means pertaining to the law, however the term has become increasingly overused by the media and consequently the general public. There are an exhaustible list of techniques from different ologies (read disciplines) such as fingerprinting or archaeological methods that can be used forensically to investigate crimes. Often the term is misused to describe methods or techniques that are not related to a court of law simply because it is cool. The distorted use of the term has been amplified by the CSI effect and the media in general, adding to the misinterpretation of your average Joe ...
Gunshot Residue “GSR”
Gunshot Residue (GSR) is a type of physical trace evidence that is released when a gun is fired and may directly place an individual at the scene of weapons discharge. The inorganic particles are typically found on the hands or clothing of people in the environment and are highly durable heavy metals that form part of the ammunition (Schwoeble and Exline, 2000) . GSR could be present on the deceased and on the assailants clothing and may be identifiable even if the body is partly or totally decomposed. Clothing is a good medium for the preservation of GSR and it will ...
Blood Spatter
It may be possible to associate an assailant to a crime if the clothes they are wearing can be tested for blood. It has been shown that even dried or decomposed blood can be identified with luminol. Fine blood spatter is likely to occur from high velocity impact generated from a firearm. It is possible for an assailant to receive blood spatter on their shoes, trousers, and top including the arm that is holding the weapon. The mist like dispersion of blood droplets typical of a high velocity impact is not likely to reach further than about 4 feet and ...
“DNA” trace evidence
The technology for DNA analysis has been greatly improved following the successful mapping of the human genome. Current genetic techniques can determine the identity of an individual with minute amounts of biological material and the approach to genetic sampling and analysis by the forensic pathologist/laboratory worker will depend on the sate of preservation of the remains (Haglund and Sorg, 2002). It is sometimes possible to gain viable DNA profiles from highly degraded samples that may be old or may have been subjected to outside interference. Post-mortem blood or tissue DNA analysis may be compared to ante-mortem specimen tests where available, to ...
Mass Disasters Investigations and Recovery
[caption id="attachment_624" align="alignright" width="300" caption="www.freedigitalphotos.net"][/caption] A scene of mass fatality such as a train collision, airplane crash or natural disaster can present a number of difficulties due to the fact that debris and evidence may be distributed over a large area. The documentation of scattered remains can often lead to inaccuracies due to the scale and complexity of a scene, often aggravated by the pressures of identifying victims as quickly as possible, determining the cause of the crash and clearing up the scene in order to minimise media intrusion (Dirkmaat et al 2001). Discovering the cause of the crash and victim identification can ...
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Welcome to The Forensic Archaeology Organisation,
BRAND NEW FORUM!!This site is your central resource for learning more about the field of forensic archaeology, what the field entails and what you may come across as a working professional.
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The Forensic Archaeology Organisation
Featured Articles
World peace with forensic archaeology?
World peace with forensic archaeology! Is it possible? While world peace might...
Isotope Analysis
A developing field in forensic anthropology is stable and radioactive isotope analysis. In...
Ultraviolet light search
Ultraviolet light has a number of applications in forensic analysis and search including...
Read More Posts From This CategoryFeatured Pages
Gunshot Residue “GSR”
Gunshot Residue (GSR) is a type of physical trace evidence that is released when...
“DNA” trace evidence
The technology for DNA analysis has been greatly improved following the successful...
Blood Spatter
It may be possible to associate an assailant to a crime if the clothes they are wearing...
Read More Posts From This CategoryForensic News
FBI’s DNA Codis database improvement plans come under fire
A major upgrade of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI)DNA database system has come under fire from members of the forensic science community. DNA cheek swab The Codis system is used to generate the genetic profiles stored in the US national DNA database. The FBI wants to expand the number of genetic markers used by Codis to classify individual... [Read more of this review]
Chief Scientific adviser not consulted over FSS forensics closure
The Home Office’s chief scientific adviser was not consulted over the closure of the UK Forensic Science Service (FSS), it has emerged. Will the private sector fill the gap left from the FSS? Bernard Silverman said he was informed in advance but not consulted “as such”. Dr Silverman was speaking at a hearing in the House of Commons... [Read more of this review]
Will Qaddafi be charged with war crimes?
Will Qaddafi be charged with war crimes and human rights violations? CBS News. Read More →
Ivory Coast ‘war crimes’ both sides responsible says Amnesty
Ivory Coast war crimes against humanity. Both sides are responsible says Amnesty International. United Nations Video. Read More →
Bin Laden DNA Match Could likely be Parent or Child
Federal officials said DNA analysis confirmed Osama bin Laden’s identity with 99.9 percent accuracy, scientific experts said this would result from a match with a close relative. More… Read More →
Read More Posts From This CategoryForensic Jobs
Associate Director – Financial Investigations – London
Our client, the world’s leading risk consulting company is looking for an Associate... [Look at this vacancy]
Financial Investigations – Associate Director – London
Our client, a global risk consulting company is looking for an Associate Director... [Look at this vacancy]
Read More Posts From This CategoryForensictube
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