Forensic geology

Forensic Geology is the study of evidence relating to minerals, soil, petroleums, and other materials found in the Earth used to answer questions raised by the legal system. Ray Murray first encountered forensic geology in 1973 when he was teaching geology at Rutgers University. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms walked into Murray's office with a bag of dirt, looking for answers. Since then, Murray has worked as a forensic geologist and, with then fellow Rutgers professor John Tedrow, in 1975 published the first textbook on the science, Forensic Geology.

Murray served as vice president and professor of geology at the University of Montana from 1977 to 1996 and continues to work in forensic geology. His latest book "Evidence from the Earth--forensic geology and criminal investigation" has been published by Mountain Press.

Early use of Forensic Geology

According to prospective Forensic Geologist, Ray Murray, Forensic Geology began with acclaimed Sherlock Holmes writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The character Sherlock Holmes claimed to be able to identify where an individual had been by various methods including his having memorised the exposed geology of London to such a degree that detecting certain clays on a person's shoe would give away a locale.

External links

• Geoforensics: Why Sherlock Holmes Rocks!