Forensic Geoscience

Dr Duncan Pirrie from Helford Geoscience LLP is a recognised expert in the recovery and evaluation of geological data in serious criminal investigations. He has worked on over 40 murder enquiries since 2003 for Devon and Cornwall, Merseyside, Metropolitan, West Mercia, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Suffolk, Strathclyde, Gwent, Police Service Northern Ireland and West Midlands police forces. Dr Pirrie is listed on the NPIA database of experts and has presented evidence at numerous trials. Expertise includes:

• Recovery of trace evidence from crime scenes
• Recovery of trace evidence from vehicles etc
• Recovery of trace evidence from tools/weapons
• Geological evaluation for clandestine grave location
• Evaluation of geological data
• Soil and sediment mineralogy
• Analysis of mineral products (e.g. plaster board etc)
• Analysis of ceramics (e.g. bricks)
• Expert witness reporting
• Evaluation of geological expert witness reports

Helford Geoscience LLP has access to world leading mineral and rock analysis facilities and has expertise in a wide range of methods including: transmitted and reflected light microscopy, digital photography, cold cathodo-luminescence, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe analysis, low vacuum scanning electron microscopy with EDS analysis and image analysis, and QEMSCAN® automated SEM-EDS mineral analysis. Recent enquiries have included: examination of geological trace evidence to link offenders to crime scenes and body deposition sites; recovery and examination of trace evidence on vehicles to link them to crime scenes; evaluation of geological trace evidence in the search for missing victims; examination of rocks/ceramics used as weapons and in body disposal.

Recent scientific publications
Pirrie, D., Butcher, A.R., Power, M.R., Gottlieb, P. & Miller, G.L. 2004. Rapid quantitative mineral and phase analysis using automated scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN®); potential applications in forensic geoscience. Geological Society, London, Special Publication, 232, 123-136.

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