Short history of forensic geology in Japan

Abstract

This paper is a review of the history of forensic geology and related disciplines in Japan. In crime investigations, soil is an important piece of evidence that may demonstrate relationships between persons, tools, and locations. In Japan, discrimination analysis is typically implemented when comparing the soil in question to a reference soil. As the needs for soil examination increased, a systematic method of soil examination and related materials was proposed in 1950. This method involvedchemical and physical observations, which include density gradient distribution, grain size distribution, microscopy, pH measurement, and chemical component analysis. Soil examination procedures were further developed during the 1970s-1990s, and involve pretreatment procedures (sieving, organic decomposition, and iron removal) followed by microscopy and instrumental analyses (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry). Recently, interest in forensic geology has increased in some academic societies; thus, we expect future collaborations between practical investigations and research and educational institutions.