By Alina prem (Garden city university, Msc Forensic science graduate, Bengaluru). Forensic geology is the important interdisciplinary science that incorporates the geological sciences into criminal investigations. Materials such as soil, rocks, and minerals, when analyzed by forensic geologists, provide critical evidence necessary to help in associating suspects with crime scenes, solutions of environmental crimes, and even in the identification of victims. Applications in Criminal Investigations: Forensic geology makes crucial contributions to criminal cases involving homicide, burglary, and environmental offenses. For instance, soil examination perhaps may indicate special geologic markers that would serve to positively identify a suspect as having been at a crime scene. This is based upon the "Locard Exchange Principle" that simply states that whenever two objects come into contact, materials will be exchanged between them. It has been used in high-profile cases, such ...