Palaeontology applied to criminal investigation

Abstract

Forensic palaeontology may be applied to the scientific investigation of outdoor crime scenes because of the potential presence of geological trace evidence on victims and perpetrators due to the trace transfer from the crime scene, as a consequence of the Locard principle. Experts in palaeontology can effectively contribute to criminal investigation: i) determining the age and provenance of microfossils for comparative purposes of geological evidence, ii) characterizing the fossils suspected to be object of illegal activities and frauds, iii) characterizing the taphonomy of the evidence especially in the clandestine graves. In this last case, the contribute is more effective if investigation carried out by palaeontologists and geologists is provided by a team of experts that in cases of corpse concealment may be composed of forensic taphonomists, archaeologists, physical anthropologists, and entomologists. The present paper illustrates the main applications of palaeontology in forensics, and reports and discusses some case studies.