Example events and examination, evuluation of the judicial geologic evidence in the forensic investigation

Forensic Geology is an interdisciplinary science that is based on the assessment of the use of natural materials in crime research, ie non-forensic techniques that arise at the intersection of Forensic Sciences and Geology. When the historical development of forensic geology is reviewed, many fields of geosciences are used as a tool to illuminate the events taking place in forensic investigations. This thesis intends to introduce the field of Forensic Geology, where Geological Science has found itself an application field in a new territory in the world and in our country in recent years and to explain sample criminal cases by using forensic geological investigations within the scope of the thesis study through the extent and evaluation of the materials that have the characteristics of geological evidence in forensic cases. Within the scope of the thesis, 9 cases including murder, mortal cases, terrorism, smuggling and theft were examined. The nature of the studies carried out within this scope are those of legal research and forensics. These studies were carried out in two stages as field and laboratory studies. For field studies, detailed samples were taken from geological evidence (inorganic and organic origin soil, sediment, rock, plant remains) at the scene (crime scene and its surroundings, victim, suspects, personal belongings and vehicles). In the second stage, geological materials taken as evidence were analyzed in the laboratories by mineralogical (optical petrography, XRD) and geochemical methods. As a result, in forensic cases, forensic geological evidence has been used to contribute to the elucidation of cases. When we evaluate the present situation of forensic sciences nationally and internationally, it’s clear that the concept of Forensic Geology has become an increasingly important branch of science. Therefore, the elimination of this gap in the scientific field in our country will be ensured through the preparation and implementation of cooperation and coordination plans with universities, institutes and other relevant institutions.