tailieunhanh - Environmental Forensics: Principles and Applications - Chapter 4

4 Forensic Techniques Used in Environmental Litigation Scientific method vs. junk science INTRODUCTION When evaluating the merits of performing non-intrusive forensic analysis (., contaminant transport modeling or aerial photo-interpretation) and/or intrusive sampling and testing, three questions should be considered: 1. Does the analysis or testing advance the understanding of the technical aspects of the case? 2. Can the test results be damaging to your client? 3. Is the testing cost effective relative to the allegations in the case? When answering the third question, be aware that many forensic techniques, especially specialty analytical testing, are marketed and monopolized by a small number of companies. These firms,. | 4 Forensic Techniques Used in Environmental Litigation Scientific method vs. junk science INTRODUCTION When evaluating the merits of performing non-intrusive forensic analysis . contaminant transport modeling or aerial photo-interpretation and or intrusive sampling and testing three questions should be considered 1. Does the analysis or testing advance the understanding of the technical aspects of the case 2. Can the test results be damaging to your client 3. Is the testing cost effective relative to the allegations in the case When answering the third question be aware that many forensic techniques especially specialty analytical testing are marketed and monopolized by a small number of companies. These firms therefore have a proprietary interest in their use. The following recommendations are offered for consideration when examining the applicability of forensic techniques Use multiple forensic methods whenever possible. To the extent possible isolate your forensic evidence from other groups of evidence so that each group of forensic evidence is a stand-alone line of evidence. This practice avoids the domino effect of multiple lines of evidence being successfully challenged if one domino is successfully challenged. Corroborate your forensic results with other types of evidence direct testimony blueprints aerial photography etc. for consistency. 2000 CRC Press LLC A common issue in environmental litigation is the determination of the origin of a contaminant release timing of the release and distribution of the contamination. Forensic procedures that provide this information include Morrison 1998a Aerial photography interpretation Underground storage tank corrosion models Identification of the date when a chemical became commercially available Association of a particular chemical with a manufacturing process Chemical profiling fingerprinting and chemical degradation models AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Aerial photography offers an established application for .