Abstract Particle size distribution is a fundamental property of any sediment or soil, and particle size determination can provide important clues to sediment provenance. For forensic work, the particle size distribution of sometimes very small samples requires precise determination using a rapid and reliable method with a high resolution. A protocol has been developed using a Coulter™ LS230 laser granulometer, which can analyse particles in the size range 0.04 μ–2000 μ. The technique is essentially non-destructive, permitting the recovery of critical samples, and has been demonstrated to have high precision for a range of soils, sediments and powders of interest in forensic investigations.

Abstract A database of coastal dune sediments in England and Wales has been developed with potential applications in forensic investigations. Coastal dunes are popular sites for criminal-related activities, including burial of drugs, weapons and murder victims. The coastal dunes and associated areas of windblown sand in England and Wales occupy an area of approximately 200 km 2 within 112 individual identified systems. Research has been undertaken to ascertain the spatial variation in sedimentological properties of the coastal dune sediments in England and Wales. Field sediment sampling has been undertaken at each dune system. More than 1500 sediment samples have been analysed by laser diffraction to determine particle size characteristics, and more than 500 have been analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) to determine chemical composition. Two examples illustrate how the database has been used in criminal investigation.

Abstract The coastal dune system of the Aquitaine region, SW France, is the largest in Europe. At the present time the dunes are mostly stabilized by forest vegetation which is largely the product of dune stabilization schemes undertaken since the late 18th century. Much of the shoreline is currently eroding at rates of 1–2 ma −2 , which are likely to increase if predictions of accelerated sea-level rise and increased storminess are correct. The sources of the beach and dune are poorly understood, and need to be identified in order to assess the sand budgets and likely dynamic response of the dune systems to changes in environmental forcing factors. This paper presents the results of an investigation to characterize the beach and aeolian sand in the region, and to identify its origin. The dune sands were found to be texturally and compositionally similar to the Quaternary Sable de Landes which occurs landward of, and partially beneath, the coastal dune belt. The results suggest that marine, aeolian and local fluvial reworking of the Sable de Landes has provided the main source of coastal dune sand, although marine erosion of Pleistocene deposits exposed in the coastal cliffs of the Medoc has made a secondary contribution.