Lorna Dawson

Head of Forensic Science
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
E: lorna.dawson@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)7815 178093

Professor Lorna Dawson is Head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Forensic Science at the James Hutton Institute and has over 30 years’ experience in managing and conducting research in soil and plant interactions, in particular its application in the criminal justice system. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2018 for her services to soil and forensic science.

Biography

Lorna is honorary professor in Forensic Science at Robert Gordon University and is the SEFARI Gateway Knowledge Exchange Lead for Environment and Soils. She contributes to Forensic Science courses at the universities of Aberdeen, Strathclyde, Abertay, Edinburgh, UHI and CESPU, Portugal. She has supervised over 20 PhD projects and has published over 100 refereed journal papers, books and book chapters, and regularly presents at national and international conferences.  

Lorna developed and pioneered the application of soil organo-mineral markers in forensic investigations and was Principal Investigator on a research project funded by the EPSRC (SoilFit), developing tools for soil characterisation in forensics and an aligned engagement project (GIMI) and was lead advisor on a Danish project to test the use of soil forensics in police case work (SoilTracker), is Chair of the Forensic Geology Group, Geological Society, London, and treasurer of an international Geoforensics network (IUGS Initiative on Forensic Geology-IFG), a committee member of the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) Animals, Plants, Soils Traces (APST) working group, a member of the Technical Committee of the University of Messina, Rome, teaching on the Masters in Forensic Geology course and an affiliate member of the NIST OSAC geo trace evidence affiliates group.  

Lorna has reported and advised on over 150 cases, written over 100 Expert Witness reports, in the UK and overseas. She has presented evidence in over 20 cases, including: WA v Rayney, Perth, Australia, 2012; R v Davies, North Wales, 2013; HMA v Sinclair, Livingstone, 2014; R v Halliwell, Bristol, 2016; HMA v Willox, Glasgow, 2020, HMA v MacDowell, Inverness, 2022; R v Southwood, Newport, 2023; HMA v Barnes, Edinburgh, 2023; HMA v Packer, Glasgow, 2024 and the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry, Edinburgh, 2022. Dawson was awarded a Special Recognition award at the Pride of Britain 2017 awards ceremony, a fellow the RSA in 2017, a fellow of the RSE in 2018, and was awarded the RSE James Hutton medal for excellence in Earth and Environmental sciences in 2023. She is a trained facilitator, regularly teaching on university courses, training police forces in crime scene sampling and she chairs several stakeholder groups, is  a science communicator, a STEM Ambassador, and regularly contributes to crime novels and award winning films, television such as Expert Witness, David Wilson’s Crime files and at public events such as University Challenge and the RI Christmas Lecture 2023 on forensic science. She has  worked with a range of crime authors, for example, crime author Ann Cleeves to produce a Murder, Mystery Pack to be distributed to libraries to run public events. She regularly presents at book festivals such as Bloody Scotland, 2023 and Bute Noir, 2024. She provided written evidence in the House of Lords inquiry into Forensic Science in 2019 and oral evidence to the Westminster inquiry into Forensic Science in September 2023. 

 

Research

Lorna developed and pioneered the application of soil organo-mineral markers in forensic investigations and was Principal Investigator on a research project funded by the EPSRC (SoilFit), developing tools for soil characterisation in forensics and an aligned engagement project (GIMI) in the UK. This work involved collaboration with various forensic experts in the National Crime Agency, the Forensic Science Service, and various police laboratories and police forces. She was Lead PI on a FW7 European grant (MiSAFE) developing and testing microbial tools for use in case work across Europe. She is currently a PI on a UKRI funded project, Single-cell and single molecule analysis for DNA identification (SCAnDi) and on a ERC funded project, Synergy-Plague, led by the Oslo University, Norway. Lorna has co-edited seminal books on Geoforensics (Springer, 2009 and The Geological Society, London, 2013 and 2021) is a trained Expert Witness and is Head of the Hutton Soil Forensic team and has worked on over 100 forensic cases in the UK and abroad, as a forensic soil expert working for police forces, lawyers and forensic service providers. She is a Fellow of the British Society of Soil Science, a Chartered Scientist, and was a council member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (2009-2013) and was a member of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Science in Society panel (2007-2011). She has considerable experience in knowledge exchange around the topics of soil and environment, has worked on sabbatical for the BBC, advising on ‘Countryfile’, ‘Vera’ and ‘Silent Witness’. She is responsible for developing many of the Institute’s soil education resources, for example, the soils posters, composting activities, and an interactive book Soils of the Crofts which has been translated into Gaelic with Crofting Connections. She regularly organises and performs in public debating events and was awarded best live science communication event, 2009. She was a member of the General Committee of the British Science Association 2013 to 2020, is a STEM Ambassador; and a member of the Chief Scientist’s Science and Engineering Community Forum (2015). She coordinated sessions at the International Crime Science Meetings, London, 2007-2009 and organised major conferences on environmental and criminal soil forensics in 2007 and 2010 and the International Network of Environmental Forensics, and has co-organised major international conferences in 2007 (Edinburgh), 2010 (California) 2012 (The Hague) and 2016 (London) and at The Geological Society of London in 2020 and in 2023.  She is a Fellow of the RSE and the RSA, a Commissioner and a member of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission’s (FFCC) Research Advisory Group (December, 2017 to present), on the Editorial Board of Geoscience and a member of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Academic Committee, 2018 to 2021.  

Publications

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Dawson, L. (2023) Soil Science in the Criminal Justice System, In: Goss, Michael & Oliver, Margaret (eds.). Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment. Volume 1, Chapter 47. Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 521-531
  • Dawson, L.; Fitzpatrick, R. (2023) Forensic Soil Science, In: Houck, M. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, Volume 2. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 3rd ed., pp 688-699
  • Ruffell, A.; Pirrie, D.; Dawson, L.A. (2021) Geological evidence analysis., In: Donnelly, L.J., Pirrie, D., Ruffell, A., Dawson, L.A. & Harrison, M. (eds.). A Guide to Forensic Geology. London: Geological Society of London, Chapter 6, pp 123-149
  • Pirrie, D.; Ruffell, A.; Dawson, L.A.; McKinley, J. (2021) Crime scenes: Geoforensic assessment sampling and examination, In: Donnelly, L.J., Pirrie, D., Ruffell, A., Dawson, L.A. & Harrison, M. (eds.). A Guide to Forensic Geology. London: Geological Society of London, Chapter 4, pp 81-104
  • Pirrie, D.; Ruffell, A.; Dawson, L.A. (2021) Geological evidence recovery from exhibits, In: Donnelly, L.J., Pirrie, D., Ruffell, A., Dawson, L.A. & Harrison, M. (eds.). A Guide to Forensic Geology. London: Geological Society of London, Chapter 5, pp 105-122
  • Donnelly, L.J.; Pirrie, D.; Harrison, M.; Ruffell, A.; Dawson, L.A. (eds.) (2021) A Guide to Forensic Geology, Geological Society of London, London, 217 pp
  • Dawson, L.A.; Auchie, D.; Parratt, D. (2021) The judicial system, reporting and giving evidence in court, In: Donnelly, L.J., Pirrie, D., Ruffell, A., Dawson, L.A. & Harrison, M. (eds.). A Guide to Forensic Geology. London: Geological Society of London, Chapter 7, pp 157-169
  • Dawson, L.A.; Parratt, D.; Auchie, D. (2019) The application of forensic soil science in case work and legal considerations, In: Francese, S. (ed.) Emerging Technologies for the Analysis of Forensic Traces. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, 245-261
  • Roberts, D.; Torrance, L.; Stirton, G.; Britton, A.J.; Craig, C.-A.; Kyle, C; Newman, C.; Macaulay, C.; Fielding, D.; Watson, H.; Pohle, I.; Robertson, J.; Maxwell, J.; Irvine, K.; Sutherland, L-A.; Dawson, L.A.; Shepherd, L.; Miller, P.; Ellis, R.; Richards, S.; Blok, V.; Hackett, C.; Kettle, H. (2018) Women in Science, The James Hutton Institute, 25pp
  • Cal, J.; Dawson, L.A.; Javan, G.T.; Ozsoy, S.; Quaak, C.A.; Ralebitso-Senior, T.K. (2018) From experimental work to real crime scenes and the courts, In: Ralebitso-Senior, T.K. (ed.) Forensic EcoGenomics: the Application of Microbial Ecology Analyses in Forensic Contexts. Academic Press, 177-210
  • Dawson, L.A.; Rodway, P. (2016) Soils of the crofts., The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 2nd ed., 57pp.
  • Harrison, K.; Dawson, L.A.; Mackinnon G. (2016) Interdisciplinary approaches to the search and location of buried bodies: a United Kingdom context., In: Kars, H. & van den Eijkel, L. (ed.) Soil in Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Soil Forensics, Springer, Chapter 13, pp201-211.
  • Khan, M.A.; Qureshi, M.Z.; Dawson, L.A.; Rehman, M.; Hayat, A.; Maqbool, F.; Andleeb, F.; Haleem, K. (2014) Efficient desizing of fabrio using partially purified thermophillic amylase produced by T. sacchari by the utilization of agro-industrial wastes., In: Cong, H., Yu, B. & Lu, X. (eds.). Frontiers in Micro-Nano Science and Technology. Advanced Materials Research, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland, 924, 3, pp 349-353.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Mayes, R.W. (2014) Criminal and environmental soil forensics: soil as physical evidence in forensic investigations., In: Murphy, B.L. & Morrison, R.D. (eds.). Introduction to Environmental Forensics. 3rd edition, Academic Press, Oxford, Chapter 12, pp457-486.
  • Pirrie, D.; Ruffell, A.; Dawson, L.A. (eds.). (2013) Environmental and criminal geoforensics., Geological Society of London Special Publications, London.
  • Pirrie, D.; Ruffell, A.; Dawson, L.A. (2013) Environmental and criminal geoforensics – an introduction., In: Pirrie, A., Ruffell, A. & Dawson, L.A. (eds.). Environmental and Criminal Geoforensics. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 384.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Rhind, S.M.; Zhang, Z.L.; Poggio, L.; Kyle, C.E.; Mayes, R.W.; Aalders, I.H.; Osprey, M.; Ross, J.; Cuthbert, A. (2012) Linking distribution of soil PaHs to location as a forensic tool., In: Morrison, R.D. & O’Sullivan, G. (eds.). Environmental Forensics: Proceedings of the 2011 INEF Conference. Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing, Cambridge, pp199-205.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Morrice, J.; Rodway, P. (2011) Soils of the crofts., The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.
  • Eley, Y.L.; Pedentchouk, N.P.; Dawson, L.A. (2011) Tracing higher plant inputs to coastal sediments: an integrated isotopic and molecular for forensic investigation., In: Morrison, R.D. & O’Sullivan, G. (eds.). Environmental Forensics. Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing, London, 218-231.
  • Mayes, R.W.; Brewer, M.J.; Dawson, L.A.; Ross, J.M. (2011) An objective method for comparing unresolved complex mixture (UCM) “humps” in gas chromatograms., In: Morrison, R.D. & O’Sullivan, G. (eds.). Environmental Forensics. Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing, London, 275-284.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Towers, W.; Owen, J.; White, D.; Coull, M.C.; Ross, J.M.; Donnelly, D.; Cooper, P. (2010) Soils of the crofts., In: Dawson, L.A., Morrice, J. & Rodway, P. Soils of the Crofts. The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.
  • Ritz, K.; Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R. (eds.) (2009) Criminal and environmental soil forensics., Springer, 519pp. ISBN: 978-1-4020-9203-9
  • Barclay, A.D.; Dawson, L.A.; Donnelly, L.J.; Miller, D.R.; Ritz, K. (2009) Soils in forensic science: underground meets underworld., In: Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.). Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Springer, Dordrecht, Chapter 32, 501-514.ISBN: 978-1-4020-9203-9
  • Morrisson, A.; McColl, S.; Dawson, L.; Brewer, M. (2009) Characterisation and discrimination of urban soils: Preliminary results from The Soil Forensics University Network., In: Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.). Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Springer, Chapter 6, 75-86. ISBN: 978-1-4020-9203-9
  • Mayes, R.W.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Discrimination of domestic garden soils using plant wax compounds as markers., In: Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.). Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics. Springer, Chapter 29, 463-476.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Byers, R.A. (2008) Methods for studying root herbivory., In: Johnson, S., Murray, P. & Masters, G. (eds.). Root Herbivory. CABI, Wallingford, Chapter 1, 3-19.. ISBN: 978 1 84593 461
  • Dawson, L.A.; Campbell, C.D.; Hillier, S.; Brewer, M.J. (2008) Methods of characterising and fingerprinting soils for forensic application., In: Tibbett, M. & Carter, D.O. (eds.). Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 271-315.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Grayston, S.J.; Murray, P.J.; Cook, R.; Gange, A.C.; Ross, J.M.; Pratt, S.M.; Duff, E.I.; Treonis, A. (2003) Influence of pasture management on soil organisms and pasture root system dynamics., In: Roots: The Dynamic Interface Between Plants and the Earth (ed. J.J. Abe). Developments in Plant and Soil Science 101, Kluwer, The Netherlands, pp121-130.
  • Atkinson, D.; Mackie-Dawson, L.A. (2001) Root growth. Methods of measurement., In: Soil Analysis – physical methods (eds. K. Smith and C. Mullins). 2nd ed. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp435-497.
  • Mackie-Dawson, L.A. and Atkinson, D. (1991) Methodology for the study of roots in field experiments and the interpretation of results., In: Plant Root Growth – an Ecological Perspective (ed. D. Atkinson). Blackwell, Oxford, pp25-48.

Technical / contract reports

  • Miller, D.; Wang, C.; Lostrangio, C.; Zomer, B.; Chartier, O.; Chmielinski, P.; Dawson, L.; Féret, S.; Potters, J.; Gizinska, K.; Salle, E.; Santos, P.; Schwarz, G.; Tudor, M. (2023) Synthesis outputs adapted for citizen audiences Sustainable Hub to Engage into Rural Policies with actors (SHERPA), Sustainable Hub to Engage into Rural Policies with actors (SHERPA). Deliverable D7.6
  • Dawson, L.; Cole, L. (2023) Healthy environment, healthy milk: Explore our virtual farm tour, SEFARI
  • Moir, A.; Henderson, B.; Macdonald, A.; Thomson, W.; Geddes, A.; Porter, J.; Burnett, F.; Whyte, P.; Dawson, L.A.; Mitchell, R.; Gilchrist, A.; Clark, M.; Brander, M.; McGregor, C.; Milne, A. (2021) A new blueprint for Scotland’s arable sector., The Arable Climate Change Group, Report to Fergus Ewing, Scottish Government, March 2021, 25pp.
  • Miller, D.R.; Irvine, K.N.; Cooksley, S.; Baird, E.; Barr, J.; Bestwick, C.; Brierton, J.; Cameron, E.; Dawson, L.A.; Ford, A.; Forrest, E.; Hearns, D.; Hume, J.; MacDonald, D.; Nisbet, W.; Owen, R. (2020) Long-term vision for rural areas: contribution from 20 science-society-policy platforms: Map discussion paper – Rural Scotland and River Dee catchment., SHERPA UK Multi-Actor Platform Discussion Paper, H2020 Sustainable Hub to Engage into Rural Policies with Actors Project (SHERPA), 37pp.
  • Miller, D.R.; Thomson, J.; Barron, S.; Bate, B.; Brooks, S.; Campbell, G.; Crofts, R.; Dawson, L.A.; Hawkins, M.; Hearns, D.; Hughes. R.; McFarlane, A.; Pretence, P.; Rankine, D.; Thomson, L.; Wade, R.; Younie, S.; Saunders, G. (2020) Position statement on landscape, land use and economy, September 2020., Scotland’s Alliance – Working Group 3 Report, September 2020, 17pp.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2020) Land use strategy and change review., Summary Report to the Cabinet Office.
  • Fitzpatrick, J.; Brewer, M.; Campbell, C.D.; Morgan, P.; Hollingsworth, P.; Newbold, J.; Bestwick, C.; Dawson, L.A. (2020) The Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes’ (SEFARI) responses to COVID-19., Summary Report, 13pp.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2020) Regional Land Use Partnerships Discussion Paper.
    Comments and links to resource material from SEFARI Gateway., Report to Scottish Land Commission Consultation.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2020) Engagement with schools: (Summary of engagement for the period of the Strategic Research Programme 2016 to 2021)., Internal report to RESAS.
  • Robinson, M.; Pepper, J.; Caldwell, A.; Gibb, L.; Toteva, G.; Mitchell, C.; Marrs, S.; Loades, K.; Payne, C.; Young, T.; Firth, A.; Valluri, C.; Smith, C.; Claridge, H.; Taylor, R.; Midgley, A.; Wade, R.; Bestwick, C.; Buckingham, S.; Williams, M.; Bader, E.; Dawson, L.A.; Somervell, D.; Muschamp, H.; Jeorrett, C.; Naylor, L.; Hardie, A.; Reay, D.; Leatham, S.; Campbell, D.; Seal, L.; Dutton, K.; Revell, P.; Cook, G.; Brand, A.; Morrison, A.; Reid, A.; Avis, K.; Everett, N.; Lilley, R.; Tilbrook, C.; Gillibrand, H.; McBride, A.; Haszeldine, S.; Robertson, H. (2020) Climate Emergency Summit III: nature based solutions report., Royal Scottish Geographcial Society, Report from Conference Meeting, 31 pages.
  • Bestwick, C.; Dawson, L.A. (2019) Spotlight Annual SEFARI Report 2018-19.,
  • Dawson, L.A. (2019) Consultation responses on forensic science provision in England & Wales on behalf of the James Hutton Institute, FGG, IUGS IFG., House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, Report May 2019.
  • Bourguignon, L.; Dawson, L.A.; Hellmann, A.; Marlof, A.; Fernadez Rodriquez, A.; Repele, M.; Utehaag, S. (2019) Best practice manual for the forensic comparison of soil traces., ENFSI Website, ENFI-BPM-APS-02, Version 1, December 2019.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2019) Scotland Inquiry: gathering information and ideas. Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Scotland., Field Guide for the Future, RSA, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Scotland, p53.
  • Bestwick, C.; Dawson, L.A.; Rees, B.; Skuce, P. (2018) Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture – measurement, modelling and mitigation., SEFARI NFUS Briefing, 8pp.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Cook, G. (2017) Consultation on new proposed BBC channel in Scotland and discussions with the BBC., Report to Scottish Government.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Bestwick C. (2017) SEFARI SAB OG report 2016 /17 annual report., Report to Scottish Government.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Stutter, M.I.; Cooksley, S.; Sample, J. (2017) Hydropower research., SEFARI Gateway Report, SRP2-11-16.
  • Cook, G.; Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A. (2017) Report on the Consultation on Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill., Response from SEFARI, August 2017.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2017) Soil and land use., Note to UK Parliament.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2016) Strategic Research Programme Centre for Knowledge Exchange and Impact – Research Awareness and Joint KE
    Strategy Development Meeting, Boat of Garten, 1 November 2016.    ,
  • Dawson, L.A. (2016) Report on the CKEI and CNPA exchange meeting., Report for Cairngorms website.
  • Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A.; Morrice, J.; McKeen, M.; Donnelly, D. (2016) Report on prototype spatial geoforensic database., EU Project MiSAFE, Deliverable 5.8, Report to the European Commission, EU FP7 MISAFE Project, 313149.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Bestwick, C. (2016) National discussion on the future of Scottish agriculture., Response to the Consultation request from Scottish Government Consultation Team for the Programme Advisors’ submission on the conversation on the ‘Future of Scottish Agriculture’.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Pakeman, R.J.; Stutter, M.I.; Miller, D.R.; Matthews, K.B.; Stott, A. (2016) Strategic Research Programme, Programme 1 Environmental Change, Final Report 2011 to 2016, Report to RESAS.
  • Kelloe, A.; Dawson, L.A.; Bestwick, C. (2016) Life in soil: does it matter?, Report on Royal Society of Edinburgh event, 24 February 2016.
  • Persch, S.; Clendenning, J.; Dawson, L.A.; Jourdan, C. (2015) Fine root dynamics within land-use change from tropical forests to agriculture: A systematic review protocol., CIFOR Working Paper No.200, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Morgan, R. (2015) Geoprovenancing., In: Annual Report of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser 2015. Forensic Science and Beyond: Authenticity, Provenance and Assurance. The Government Office for Science, London.
  • Dawson, L.A (2014) International linkages within research institutes., Internal Report to RESAS.
  • Miller, D.R., Dawson, L.A., Morrice, J., Donnelly, D. (2014) Structure and specifications for geoforensics database: D5.2., EU MiSAFE Project “Structure and Specifications for Geoforensics Database”, Deliverable D5.2.

Conference papers

  • Dawson, L.; Zhang, Z.; Ramage, S. (2023) Forensics and pollutants (plasticisers and microplastics), Poster presentation and on SEFARI Gateway website.
  • Alves Testonia, S.; de Freitas Meloa, V.; Dawson, L.A.; Augusto da Silva, F. (2018) Evaluation of forensic soil traces from a crime scene: robbery of a safety deposit box in Brazil., 20th International Conference on Clay Mineralogy and Soil Structure, Prague, 3-4 September 2018.
  • Milek, K.; Harrault, L.; Dawson, L.A.; Plekhanov, A.; Anderson, D. (2017) New approaches to the origins of reindeer husbandry using integrated geoarchaeological and lipid biomarker analyses., UK Archaeological Science (UKAS) Conference 2017, University College London, 5-8 April 2017.
  • Donnelly, L.J.; Cassella, J.; Pirrie, D.; Dawson, L.A.; Harrault, L.; Blom, G.; Davidson, A.; Arnold, P.; Harrison, M.; Ruffell, A. (2016) Analysis of leachate, VOCs, fatty acids and mineralogy following the discovery of a homicide grave: Potential implications for police led open area ground searches for burials., T6.1 – Forensic Soil Science and Geology. 35th International Geological Society Congress, Cape Town, 29 August 2016.
  • Robertson, A.H.J.; Main, A.M.; Robinson, L.J.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) In situ FTIR analysis of forensic soil samples at a mock crime scene., Proceedings of the 4th Global Workshop on Proximal Soil Sensing in Hangzhou, China, 12-15 May 2015.
  • MacKinnon, G.; Harrison, K.; Dawson, L.A.; McConochie, A.; Sampson, A. (2015) Forensic archaeology and multidisciplinary collaboration in a criminal investigation – a case study., 4th European Meeting on Forensic Archaeology (EMFA) 2015) Pontoise, France, 28-29 August 2015.
  • Marlof, A.; Dawson, L.A,. (2015) Forensic geology: a study on the characterisation of soil organic matter in public sites in the greater Lausanne area, Switzerland., 7th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS 2015), Prague, Czech Republic, 6-11 September 2015. Proceedings, p111.
  • McCulloch, G.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) Analysis of the temporal and spatial variability of geoforensic samples from across the UK by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)., 7th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS 2015), Prague, Czech Republic, 6-11 September 2015. Proceedings, p52.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2014) Dirt, death & DNA; from crime scene to court., The Lord Advocates Conference, Ballathie House Hotel, Perth, 8-9 November 2014.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Freitag, T.; Ross, J.; Robinson, L.; Miller, D.R.; Pasternak, Z.; Habtom, H.J.C.; Robe, P.; Kahns, L.; Simonet, P.; Demaneche, S.; Gafny, R.; Cordero, J.C.; Jurkevitch, E. (2014) The development and validation of microbial soil Community analyses for forensic purposes (MiSAFE)., Forensics Geosciences Group, London, 2-4 December 2014. Proceedings.
  • McCulloch, G.; Morgan, R.M.; Gibbons, S.; Dawson, L.A.; Woods, B. (2014) Exploring the potential of using HPLC to characterise forensic soil samples., 22nd International Symposium of the Forensic Sciences of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Society (ANZFSS 2014), Adelaide, Australia, 31 August – 4 September 2014.
  • Mayes, R.; Ross, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2014) Developments in the analysis of organic compounds as forensic markers in soil and related materials., International Network of Environmental Forensics, INEF, St John’s College, Cambridge, 4-6 August 2014.
  • Von der Luhe, B.; Mayes, R.; Dawson, L.A. (2014) The decomposition of adipocere under contrasting environmental conditions., International Network of Environmental Forensics, INEF, St John’s College, Cambridge, 4-6 August 2014.
  • Carvalho, A.; Dawson, L.A.; Ribeiro, H.; Mayes, R.; Guedes, A.; Abreu, I.; Noronha, F. (2014) Multidisciplinary characterization of sediments from two northern Portuguese river beaches for forensic application., IX Congresso Nacional de Geologia (IX CNG), Portugal, 18-24 July 2014.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2013) Optimising land use., Workshop on Optimising Land Use in Scotland, RESAS, University of Edinburgh Business School, Edinburgh, 18 April 2013.
  • Carvalho, A.; Ribeiro, H.; Dawson, L.A.; Mayes, B.; Guedes, A.; Abreu, I. (2012) Independent techniques for the forensic characterisation of river beaches., 6th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS), Towards Forensic Science 2, The Hague, Netherlands, 20-24 August, 2012, p189.
  • von der Luhe, B.M.; Dawson, L.A.; Mayes, R.W.; Forbes, S.L.; Fielder, S. (2012) The preliminary investigation of animal sterols for the detection of decomposing bodies in soil., 6th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS), Towards Forensic Science 2, The Hague, Netherlands, 20-24 August, 2012, p291.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2012) Soil as intelligence and evidence: learning experiences from research and casework., 6th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS), Towards Forensic Science 2, The Hague, Netherlands, 20-24 August, 2012, p291. Keynote presentation, p137.
  • Morrisson, A.R.; Dawson, L.A. (2012) The potential use of organic components in soil for forensic discrimination of land use and location., 6th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS), Towards Forensic Science 2, The Hague, Netherlands, 20-24 August, 2012, p134.
  • McKinley, J.; Ruffell, A.; Dawson, L.A. (2012) Spatial sampling approaches in forensic geosciences: critique, challenges and case studies., 34th International Geological Congress (IGC2012), Forensic Geoscience Session, Brisbane, Australia, 5-10 August 2012.
  • Eley, Y.; Pedentchouk, N.; Dawson, L.A. (2011) Tracing plant inputs to sediments; a combined isotopic and molecular forensic approach., International Network of Environmental Forensics Conference, INEF, St John’s College, Cambridge, 24-27 July 2011. Conference Proceedings, pp.28.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Rhind, S.M.; Zhang, Z.L.; Poggio, L.; Kyle, C.E.; Mayes, R.W.; Aalders, I.H.; Osprey, M.; Ross, J.; Cuthbert, A. (2011) Distribution of PAHs across the soils of Scotland., International Network of Environmental Forensics Conference, St John’s College, Cambridge, 24-27 July 2011. Conference Proceedings, pp.18-19.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Czerniakiewicz, M.; Handley, K.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D.; Mayes, R.W. (2010) A complementary approach to the forensic analysis of soil in case investigations., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 3rd, Long Beach, California, 2-4 November 2010.
  • Campbell, C.D.; Towers, W.; Dawson, L.A.; Coull, M.C. (2010) Public engagement – How we make soils entertaining., World Congress of Soil Science: Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 19th, Brisbane Australia, 1-6 August 2010.
  • Donnelly, D.; Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R.; Macdonald, L.M. (2008) Geographic modelling of soil attributes and access for investigative purposes., In: International Crime Science Conference, British Library, London, 16-17 July 2008.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Macdonald, C.A.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W. (2008) Plant wax markers: developing methods to compliment mineralogical techniques., International Crime Science Conference 2008, Science, Crime and Security: Creating Sustainable Partnerships, British Library, London, 17-18 July 2008.
  • Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.A.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.; Thornton, B. (2008) Traces of soil from archaeological artefacts: a multidisciplinary approach., International Crime Science Conference 2008, London, 17-18 July 2008.
  • Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A.; Ritz, K.; Bellamy, P.H.; Rawlins, B.; Wilson, A.K. (2007) Developing integrated geographic soils data and analysis for crime investigation., Conference proceedings paper (published on CD “Science, Crime and Security- making connections”).
  • Mayes, R.W.; Dawson, L.A.; Smith, C.; Morrisson, A.; Ross, J.M.; Milton, S. (2007) Using gas chromatographic information from plant wax compounds and similar substances for forensic matching of urban garden soils., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007, p27.
  • Hillier, S.; Dawson, L.A.; Robertson, J, Delbos, E.; Shiels, J.; Campbell, S.; Mayes, R.W.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Provenancing archaeological objects using traces of soil., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Brevik, E.C.; Dawson, L.A.; Reyes Sanches, L.B. (2021) International gender equity in soil science: a social equity issue., EGU General Assembly, Online, 19-30 April 2021. Abstract.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2020) Soil posters as a resource for schools – various posters updated and published as part of a collated tabular resource across SEFARI., SEFARI Gateway, SEFARI Online Education Resources Table.
  • Pitts, K.; Clarke, R.; Coumbaros, J.; Aspandiar, M.; Newland, T.; Lewis S.; Dawson, L.A. (2020) The forensic analysis of the inorganic and organic fractions of sandy soils., Australian and New Zealand Forensic Society (ANZFSS) 2020 Conference, Sydney Australia, 21-25 September 2020. Abstract.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Bestwick, C. (2019) Delivering evidence to inform policy and practice: people and planet responses to the wellbeing of people working within nature., SAGES’19 Conference ‘Global Climate Challenges for a Blue Green Economy: Scientific Evidence; its Relevance; Societal Solutions’ John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh, 27-28 November 2019. Book of Abstracts, p67.
  • Glendell, M.; Hirave, P.; Birkholz, A.; Baggaley, N.; Thornton, B.; Addy, S.; Rose, J.; Dawson, L.A.; Juvanon, N.; Alewell, Ch. (2019) Testing the use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis of n-alkanes for river sediment source apportionment., EGU General Assembly, 2019, Vienna, Austria, 7-12 April 2019. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 21, EGU2019-4068.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Piombino-Mascali, D.; Steingrímsdóttir, S.E. (2018) The use of organic biomarkers as indicators of human decomposition in ancient crypt conditions., Scientific Conference on Anthropology, Vilnius, Lithuania. Acta Medica Lithuanica, Volume 25 (Suppl.) pp29-30. Abstract.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2018) The use of soil in criminal case work., Police Scotland Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) Conference, Tulliallan Police College, 17 January 2018. Abstract.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2017) SEFARI delivering to Food, Drink and the Environment in conversations around food security., Food Security – UK Priorities, Supporting Domestic Production and Driving Innovation, London,
    2 September 2017. Conference Proceedings, pp65-66.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2017) Soil as a natural asset in environment and crime., BSSS 70 Year Commemorative Event, Royal College of Physicians, London, 22 March 2017. (Poster).
  • Harrault, L.; Milek, K.; Lopez, G.D.; Dawson, L.A.; Anderson, D.G. (2017) Understanding past activities of pastoral nomadic Nenets from western Siberia using a geoarchaeological toolkit.

    , Ethnoarchaeology of Fire, Archaeological
    Micromorphology
    and Biomarkrs
    (AMBI LabInternational Workshop, Tenerife, Spain, 9-12 February 2017.

  • Dawson, L.A.; Donnelly, L.; Ruffell, A. (2016) The International Union of Geological
    Science – Initiative forensic geology: impacting on search and trace evidence
    provision internationally., 18th International Forensic Science Managers Symposium, Lyon, France, 11 October 2016. Poster.
  • Harrault, L.; Milek, K.; Dawson, L.A.; Anderson, D. (2016) A study of a possible early reindeer domestication site on the Iamal peninsula (Russia) using geoarchaeological methods and lipid biomarkers., European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016 (EGU 2016), Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 18, EGU2016-6682.
  • Somma, R.; Silvestro, M.; Cascio, M.; Dawson, L.A.; Donnelly, L.; Harrison, M.; McKinley, J.; Ruffell, A. (2016) The use of a GIS based red-amber-green system to define research priorities areas in geoforensics., European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016 (EGU 2016), Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol.18, EGU2016-16379.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Rodway. P. (2015) Soil posters: How are soils formed? What is in our soils? Soil variation., Joint Hutton and Crofting Connections (Soil Association). The Future of Crofting’ Conference, Cross Party Group on Crofting. Highland Council Headquarters, Inverness, 4 December 2015 .
  • Everett, R.; Dawson, L.A. (2015) The optimisation of diatom extraction methods from organ analogues., 7th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, (EAFS 2015), Prague, Czech Republic, 6-11 September 2015. Proceedings, p117. (Poster)
  • Dawson, L.A. (2014) The SRP portfolio of research, providing the research base and tools for understanding soil and how that impacts on key global issues: Food Security, Soil Security and Sustainable Intensification., 20th World Congress of Soil Science, Soils Embrace Life and Universe, Jeju, South Korea, 9-13 June 2014. (Poster).
  • Dawson, L.A.; Marks, S.; Bestwick, C. (2014) The Scottish Government’s portfolio of research providing the research base and tools for understanding soil and how that impacts on key global issues: food security and sustainable intensification., Abstract No 1042. The Scottish Government’s Portfolio of Research.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2014) Soil approaches for intelligence and evidence in forensic case work., 20th World Congress of Soils Science, Soils Embrace Life and Universe, Jeju, South Korea, 8-13 June 2014. Abstract.
  • Eley, Y.; Pedentchouk, N.; Dawson, L.A. (2014) Different response of bulk and n-alkane 13C signatures to seasonal shifts in environmental conditions in a temperate coastal ecosystem., EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austrai, 27 April – 2 May 2014. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 16, EGU2014-9399.
  • Persch, S.; Jourdan, C.; Hergoualch, K.; Verchot, L.; Dawson, L.A.; Hoelscher, P. (2014) Fine root turnover within land-use change from primary forest to degraded forest and oil palm plantation on tropical peat., XXIV IUFRO World Congress, Salt lake City, United States, 5-11 October 2014. (web site and in person).