TEACHING FORENSIC GEOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

Geology 483 (Forensic Geology) was initiated at Southern Illinois University during the fall term in 1996 and has been taught every fall term since then. The overall objective of the course is to give the student knowledge about the applications of geology in forensic investigations. The main specific objective is to develop skills of critical observation which is accomplished by a number of exercises involving the observation, study, and classification of a large variety of geological materials. The course is taught in fifteen 3-hour sessions with each one covering a single topic. Each session starts with descriptions of cases dealing with the topic of the session followed by brief but adequate instruction on that topic. These two take up no more than half of the 3 hours. They are followed by detailed simulated forensic investigation exercises that are reviewed and evaluated at the end of the session. The topics covered include rock and mineral characterization; geological (mining) fraud cases; topographic and geological maps; sand; soils; fossils; amber, palynology; coals and carbons; cosmetics, paints, and inks; building materials, man-made environmental disasters (forensic engineering geology); and environmental geochemistry. In addition, evidence collection, courtroom testimony, and ethical issues are covered. The students are exposed to scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and spectral data in the exercises and spend extensive time using a variety of optical microscopes. The only serious problem in teaching this course has been in gathering case studies in forensic geology.