Analysis of soil following a police-led open area search and the recovery of a cold-case homicide grave

Donnelly, Laurance; Cassella, John; Pirrie, Duncan; Dawson, Lorna; Blom, Giorgio; Davidson, Alison; Arnold, Peter; Harrison, Mark; Hope, Cat

doi:10.1144/sp492-2017-337

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The combined role of using earth materials in searches for burials and as trace evidence Forensic soil science and geology progress not only through the publication of fundamental and applied research, but also through the publication of specific real-life case studies with conclusions admissible in court (e.g. Fitzpatrick et al 2017;Donnelly et al 2019;Raven et al 2019). Hence, wherever possible, the publication of material in the scientific literature on the success or otherwise of real-life case studies is encouraged to illustrate how forensic examiners studied earth materials and drew conclusions about the meaning…”

Section: The Role and Of Earth Materials In Searches For Burialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(5) Donnelly et al (2019) provides the results of soil analysis following the search for a homicide grave and the recovery of the victim who had been missing for 15 years. New intelligence provided a search area in a remote, upland location.…”

Section: Search For Burialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(9) Donnelly ( 2020) presents a SOP for earth material sampling for the detection of VOCs and leachate associated with human decomposition from a shallow, unmarked, homicide grave as outlined in Donnelly et al (2019) (Chapter 5). The homicide case from England presented by Donnelly et al (2019) is an excellent example of the application of the GSS. Here, a search was planned based on a detailed evaluation of the geology and case intelligence.…”

Section: Search For Burialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An introduction to forensic soil science and forensic geology: a synthesis

Fitzpatrick

Donnelly²

2021

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Using forensic soil science and forensic geology as trace evidence and searches for burials is the theme of the papers in this Special Publication. The concept and design of this volume was initially established by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), Initiative on Forensic Geology (IFG), which successfully brought together forensic geologists, forensic soil scientists, police and law enforcement in the investigation of crimes. In this introductory paper a brief overview is provided of the developments in interdisciplinary knowledge exchange with use of soil and geological materials (known as “earth materials”) in the search for burials and the provision of trace evidence. The aim is to provide background information on the role and value of understanding ‘Earth materials’ ranging from the landscape scale, to the crime scene through to microscopic scale investigations to support law enforcement agencies in solving criminal, environmental, serious and organised crime, and terrorism. In this connection, recent advances in field and laboratory methods are highlighted. Finally, the 20 papers in the volume are briefly introduced and these include a diversity of global operational case studies that involve collection and analysis of Earth material from crime scenes and searches for homicide graves and other buried targets.

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Section: The Role and Of Earth Materials In Searches For Burialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Search For Burialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Search For Burialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An introduction to forensic soil science and forensic geology: a synthesis

Fitzpatrick

Donnelly²

2021

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“…Different biological matrices used for lipid studies were lowing matrices were gathered: (i) skeletal muscle tissue (4/ (iii) bone (2/24), (iv) soil from burial sites (13 /24), (v) blood with decomposing remains (2/24), and (vii) soft tissues (1/24 uate the degradation of lipids and FAs in the different stud (Table 2): shotgun lipidomic analysis (1/24), GC-MS (gas chro Good [22]…”

Section: Laboratory Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lipidomes in Cadaveric Decomposition and Determination of the Postmortem Interval: A Systematic Review

Caballero-Moreno,

Luna,

Legaz

2024

IJMS

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Lipids are a large group of natural compounds, together with proteins and carbohydrates, and are essential for various processes in the body. After death, the organism’s tissues undergo a series of reactions that generate changes in some molecules, including lipids. This means that determining the lipid change profile can be beneficial in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). These changes can also help determine burial sites and advance the localization of graves. The aim was to explore and analyze the decomposition process of corpses, focusing on the transformation of lipids, especially triglycerides (TGs) and fatty acids (FAs), and the possible application of these compounds as markers to estimate PMI and detect burial sites. A systematic review of 24 scientific articles from the last 23 years (2000–2023) was conducted. The results show that membrane glycerophospholipids (such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol, among others) are the most studied, and the most promising results are obtained, with decreasing patterns as PMI varies. Fatty acids (FAs) are also identified as potential biomarkers owing to the variations in their postmortem concentration. An increase in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as stearic acid and palmitic acid, and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, were observed. The importance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in decomposition is also observed. Finally, as for the burial sites, the presence of fatty acids and some sterols in burial areas of animal and human remains can be verified. In conclusion, glycerophospholipids and fatty acids are good markers for estimating PMI. It has been observed that there are still no equations for estimating the PMI that can be applied to forensic practice, as intrinsic and extrinsic factors are seen to play a vital role in the decomposition process. As for determining burial sites, the importance of soil and textile samples has been demonstrated, showing a direct relationship between saturated fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids, and some sterols with decomposing remains.

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“…Geoscientists have identified the location of buried objects, such as chemical drums, storage tanks, vehicles, waste disposal trenches, bodies, drugs, precious metals and weapons, in addition to human bodies (Ruffell and McKinley, 2008;Pringle et al 2012;Donnelly et al, 2019). Identifying the geological characteristics of rocks, used as weapons, has also led to the source location (provenance) of the rocks to be identified (Pirrie et al 2019).…”

Section: Searchmentioning

confidence: 99%

A proposal for a White Paper on Geoethics in Forensic Geology

Dawson

Maggio

McKinley

et al. 2021

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This paper outlines the construction of a White Paper on Geoethics in Forensic Geology. It focuses on forensic geology, although it also relates to the wider sphere of the forensic geosciences. Forensic geology is rapidly evolving to provide assistance in police investigations and in criminal and civil courts with providing scientific advice and evidence, but there also should be associated clear guidelines to benefit both the practitioner and the justice system. Examples of where forensic geology delivers to society in a vital way are required and also where potential malpractice could happen. The paper discusses where forensic geology should pursue social justice in compliance with current legal systems. In order to achieve this goal, it outlines the main areas that we suggest should be developed within the discipline: the competence of the scientist in forensic geology; the creation of best practice guidelines; the establishing of clear duties of the expert in forensic geology; and consideration of ethical aspects in forensic geological activities and ethical aspects in communicating geoscience evidence. When developing geoethics within forensic geology, the following practices were identified as of prime importance: improved standardization of methods; the use of appropriate methods and/or combination of complementary methods; greater clarity of approach used for the location of areas of interest; collection and recovery of evidence; scene examination and sample collection evaluation of data; construction and appropriate use of databases, background information, documentation, cartography and communication of forensic data; and summary of evidence and acknowledgement and consideration of uncertainty and bias. Honesty, integrity, respect, transparency, competence and reliability are vital for the forensic geoscientist to adhere to. Raising the ethical profile of the forensic geoscience profession aims to pave the way for forensic geoscientists to be empowered now and into the future to serve society: acting responsibly and adopting effective ethical codes is vitally important for a safe society. This paper highlights the necessity to hold urgent discussions on the ethical and social implications of forensic geology and their potential repercussions on societal justice. Forensic geology is a very useful tool, but like any other tool in human hands, it presupposes responsibility in its application. Professionalism and honesty in forensic geology are fundamental to assure the public that geoscientists involved have the highest scientific respectability, social credibility and community respect for their role to help pursue judicial truth. The aim of this draft White Paper is to stimulate an open and informed debate on geoethics.

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Analysis of soil following a police-led open area search and the recovery of a cold-case homicide grave

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

An introduction to forensic soil science and forensic geology: a synthesis

An introduction to forensic soil science and forensic geology: a synthesis

Lipidomes in Cadaveric Decomposition and Determination of the Postmortem Interval: A Systematic Review

A proposal for a White Paper on Geoethics in Forensic Geology

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