Forensic-geology-based magnetic analysis of beach sediments from the Shimokita Peninsula, Japan.

The occurrences of various illegal activities on beaches require effective geological and environmental investigation methods. Among these methods, the room-temperature magnetic analysis of soils and sediments represents a nondestructive investigation method for various amounts, types, and grain sizes of magnetic minerals. Here, to verify the usefulness of magnetic analysis in forensic geology research, beach sediment samples from nine sites in the Shimokita Peninsula, Japan, were measured using magnetic analysis to determine the correlations between their concentration-dependent magnetic parameters and actual regional characteristics.

New method of structural analysis and measurement of V-shaped percussion cracks in quartz sands surface by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM).

Microtextures of quartz sand grains can be used to establish sedimentary provenance of sedimentary deposits. V-shaped percussion cracks (Vs), which are randomly produced by grain-to-grain mechanical collision in high-energy subaqueous environments, are significant microtextures used for investigation of fluvial and marine sediment. In previous studies, others have used the percentage of microtextures obtained by scanning electron microscope to compare sediment samples.

Analysis of water-soluble paper for forensic discrimination.

Water-soluble paper (WSP), which easily dissolves in water, has been found in criminal gang hideouts as evidence in crimes including bank transfer fraud, phone fraud, and grandparent scams, i.e. identity fraud to steal money.

Effects of printing and ninhydrin treatment on forensic analysis of paper.

Paper is ubiquitous in human activities and can be found as evidence in the commission of many crimes such as threatening letters, deceptive advertisements and counterfeiting banknotes. To link the paper evidence to a source is a comparative process that is hampered when a blank paper is compared to a paper that has been submitted to printing or other treatments such as ninhydrin for the detection of fingermarks. During a forensic investigation, printed paper is analyzed with various instruments after fingerprint examination.