Robert D Morrison

The second edition of Chlorinated Solvents: A Forensic Evaluation provides a continuation and update of environmental forensic techniques described in the 2013 first edition for age dating and identifying the location of chlorinated solvent releases. A focus on the integration of the forensic advancements in contaminant modeling, solvent concentration gradients, phytoscreening, molar ratio analysis, dendroecology, compound specific isotope analysis and forensic timestamps are described in multiple chapters. Chlorinated solvents examined in this expanded edition include trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and methylene chloride. Practical methods available to an investigator to optimize sampling locations and media selection and non-traditional analytical techniques for forensic purposes are explained and illustrated in numerous case studies. The incorporation of generic forensic techniques with unique diagnostic stabilizers and manufacturing impurities provides the reader with the state-of-the-art forensic tools and methodologies for designing and conducting a successful forensic solvent investigation. Extensive references and detailed appendices are included to provide users with the resources to refine the use of these techniques in investigations. This edition delivers the researcher, practitioner and regulator an indispensable reference to assist them in designing and implementing a forensic investigation for age dating and source identification of a chlorinated solvent release.

Environmental forensics is emerging and evolving into a recognized scientific discipline with numerous applications, especially regarding chlorinated solvents. This unique book provides the reader with a concise compilation of information regarding the use of environmental forensic techniques for age dating and identification of the source of a chlorinated solvent release. Concentrating on the five commonly encountered chlorinated solvents (perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and CFC-113), forensic opportunities applicable to each are presented including the use of stabilizers, manufacturing impurities, surrogate chemicals and physical measurements and degradation products as diagnostic indicators. Detailed historical chronology of the applications of the solvents and specific chapters devoted to dry cleaning and vapor degreasing equipment are included as are generic forensic approaches. Forming a basis for further ideas in the evolution of environmental forensic techniques, Chlorinated Solvents will be an indispensable reference tool for researchers, regulators and analysts in the field.

Environmental forensics is the application of scientific techniques for the purpose of identifying the source and age of a contaminant. Over the past several years, this study has been expanding as a course of study in academia, government and commercial markets. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are among the governmental agencies that utilize the study of environmental forensics to ensure national security and to ensure that companies are complying with standards. Even the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE), a group supported by the European Commission and the World Bank, utilizes the study of environmental forensics as it applies to terror threats.This title is a hands-on guide for environmental scientists, engineers, consultants and industrial scientists to identify the origin and age of a contaminant in the environment and the issues involved in the process. An expansion of the authors’ first title with Academic Press, Introduction to Environmental Forensics, this is a state-of-the-art reference for those exploring the scientific techniques available.

Offering state-of-the-art techniques for both attorneys and environmental scientists, Environmental Forensics: Principles and Applications discusses non-chemical methods such as corrosion modeling, inventory reconciliation, and aerial photography interpretation. The book also covers chemical fingerprinting used to identify the origin and age of a contaminant release- relevant techniques include the use of radioactive isotope analysis, degradation modeling based on half-lives, and fuel additives such as MTBE. Environmental Forensics provides case study examples of environmental trial exhibits. It covers misused techniques that can bias the scientific validity of a trial exhibit, such as scale exaggeration, use of statistical manipulation, data contouring, and selective presentation. Detailed information is provided for identifying and interpreting those portions of environmental reports that are "target rich" sources of scientific biases. These include the identification of false positive, false negative and the intentional manipulation of environmental data that occurs primarily in the sample collection process.