The evolution of environmental forensics: From laboratory to field analysis

Abstract

Environmental forensics aims to provide investigations into pollution incidents to establish the source of the pollution and any environmental or human health impacts. Casework is strongly reliant on field investigations and subsequent laboratory‐based analysis for confirmation of pollutants present. Current advances in field‐portable instrumentation are shaping the environmental forensics discipline and provide an evolutionary change in the operational capabilities of environmental investigators. The implementation of field‐portable equipment into the environmental investigative framework provides great advances and opportunities, but also needs to be performed with caution to ensure reliable results. Combining the use of field‐portable instrumentation with small mobile forensic laboratories provides for a rapid and flexible emergency response capability that can also be applied to non‐emergency scenarios to aid pollution mapping and tracking, including source determination. The field‐portable equipment can be used in the controlled environment of the mobile laboratory, but can also be used in‐situ where required. Although field‐portable equipment is not likely to replace laboratory‐based analysis methods in the near future, it does provide important intelligence to the field investigator, resulting in a more targeted and detailed investigation of the scene. This allows for a more focussed laboratory‐based investigation and will result in more rapid and appropriate investigations into environmental incidents. Ultimately, this will ensure a better protection of the environment and human health. This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence < Forensic Food and Environment Analysis

The role of forensic science in the generation of intelligence to address environmental water contamination problems

“…Forensic science is generally absent from this debate because it usually assists in the reconstruction of singular past activities to facilitate investigative processes and judicial decisions (Estoppey, 2022; Mudge, 2008; Petrisor, 2014; Spikmans, 2019). Its role of bringing evidence to court is essential, especially given the development of environmental law and the growing sense that human behavior needs to be better regulated in this area.…”

Portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the in-field screening of organic pollutants in soil and water at pollution incidents

“…This issue has been explained in past literature, and suggestions have been made to overcome this by using field-portable analytical equipment. This equipment can provide intelligence at the scene of the incident, whilst the incident is being investigated (Galuszka et al 2015 ; Lam et al 2018 ; Spikmans 2019 ; Turl and Wood 2008 ; Valcárcel and Cárdenas 2005 ).…”

“…The in-field results do not need to be confirmatory and do not have to withstand scrutiny in court (Lam et al 2019b ; Spikmans 2019 ). The in-field results need to provide preliminary information on the pollutant(s) present in a timely manner to allow the field officer to manage the site to protect the environment (Galuszka et al 2015 ; Lam et al 2018 ; Spikmans 2019 ).…”

“…The in-field results do not need to be confirmatory and do not have to withstand scrutiny in court (Lam et al 2019b ; Spikmans 2019 ). The in-field results need to provide preliminary information on the pollutant(s) present in a timely manner to allow the field officer to manage the site to protect the environment (Galuszka et al 2015 ; Lam et al 2018 ; Spikmans 2019 ). Ideally, the results are sufficiently characteristic to provide a chemical profile to aid in source-tracking (Kalnicky and Singhvi 2001 ; Spikmans 2019 ; Turl and Wood 2008 ; Valcárcel and Cárdenas 2005 ).…”

Rapid on-site identification of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes using person-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)–part 2: water sampling and analysis

“…Recent developments in person-portable instrumentation have the potential to overcome the issue of delayed laboratory results reporting [ 13 ]. Person-portable instruments afford first responders the ability to rapidly detect and identify pollutants at a contamination event, at the time and location of the incident, and can provide a more comprehensive understanding of potential contaminants at a scene throughout the duration of the event.…”