<div>This is the first of a two-part mini series discussing the extraordinary science of Forensic Geology with leading expert Dr Laurance Donnelly. 
 
Forensic geology is the application of geology to aid the investigation of crime – and it's arguably the broadest of all the forensic sciences, covering everything from crime scene examination and searches for burials, to investigating art fraud and the smuggling of precious metals and gems. Geology has been used by police and law enforcement since the middle part of the 19th century, however it's only recently that it's become more widely used across the world - and Laurance Donnelly has been at the forefront of that evolution. 
 
In this mini series, Laurance takes Lynda on journey around the world as he explains his extraordinarily varied career and the cases he has worked on.  
 
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Lynda La Plante's new book The Scene of the Crime, featuring a team of forensic scientists, is out on the 31st July 2025 in all formats. 
 
To find out more about upcoming episodes of Listening to the Dead and Lynda's other books, visit <a href="http://www.lyndalaplante.com/">www.lyndalaplante.com</a> 
  
  
Credits: 
 This podcast was made by Bonnier Books UK 
 Hosts: Lynda La Plante, Cass Sutherland and Jon Watt 
 Director: Jon Watt 
 Producer: Laura Makela 
 Theme Music: Game Over by Magic in the Other  
 
 
 

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This is the first of a two-part mini series discussing the extraordinary science of Forensic Geology with leading expert Dr Laurance Donnelly. Forensic geology is the application of geology to aid the investigation of crime – and it's arguably the broadest of all the forensic sciences, covering everything from crime scene examination and searches for burials, to investigating art fraud and the smuggling of precious metals and gems. Geology has been used by police and law enforcement since the middle part of the 19th century, however it's only recently that it's become more widely used across the world - and Laurance Donnelly has been at the forefront of that evolution. In this mini series, Laurance takes Lynda on journey around the world as he explains his extraordinarily varied career and the cases he has worked on. ------ Lynda La Plante's new book The Scene of the Crime, featuring a team of forensic scientists, is out on the 31st July 2025 in all formats. To find out more about upcoming episodes of Listening to the Dead and Lynda's other books, visit www.lyndalaplante.com Credits: This podcast was made by Bonnier Books UK Hosts: Lynda La Plante, Cass Sutherland and Jon Watt Director: Jon Watt Producer: Laura Makela Theme Music: Game Over by Magic in the Other

This is the first of a two-part mini series discussing the extraordinary science of Forensic Geology with leading expert Dr Laurance Donnelly. 
 
Forensic geology is the application of geology to aid the investigation of crime – and it's arguably the broadest of all the forensic sciences, covering everything from crime scene examination and searches for burials, to investigating art fraud and the smuggling of precious metals and gems. Geology has been used by police and law enforcement since the middle part of the 19th century, however it's only recently that it's become more widely used across the world - and Laurance Donnelly has been at the forefront of that evolution. 
 
In this mini series, Laurance takes Lynda on journey around the world as he explains his extraordinarily varied career and the cases he has worked on.&nbsp; 
 
------ 
 
Lynda La Plante's new book The Scene of the Crime, featuring a team of forensic scientists, is out on the 31st July 2025 in all formats. 
 
To find out more about upcoming episodes of Listening to the Dead and Lynda's other books, visit <a href="http://www.lyndalaplante.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.lyndalaplante.com</a> 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Credits: 
&nbsp;This podcast was made by Bonnier Books UK 
&nbsp;Hosts: Lynda La Plante, Cass Sutherland and Jon Watt 
&nbsp;Director: Jon Watt 
&nbsp;Producer: Laura Makela 
&nbsp;Theme Music: Game Over by Magic in the Other&nbsp;

S4 Ep3: Forensic Geology – Part 1

If you want to know what criminal investigation is like in real life, then get ready for a podcast that puts YOU at the crime scene.


This series will look at the latest developments, the famous cases and how the forensic scientists are meeting the challenge laid down by a criminal who is forensically aware.


Lynda La Plante has always been fascinated by criminality and the people that solve crime. Her books are celebrated for their authentic depictions of crime scenes and police procedures – something she achieves through meticulous research with her colleague, CSI Cass Sutherland.


Over six episodes, Lynda and Cass will investigate six branches of forensics: discussing their own experiences, talking with experts, hearing how real life crime scenes are worked, exploring the latest innovations and demonstrating how CSI fact is even more thrilling than CSI fiction.


Episodes will reveal how plant regrowth can be used to track a killer’s path months after a crime was committed; how a fly on the wall can be more than an observer; why the ‘sibling defence’ can unravel DNA evidence; and why a dog’s nose can sniff out cases of arson that the scientists miss.


A murderer is 20% more likely to be convicted if forensic evidence can be presented in court by the prosecution. Yet fingerprints are currently recovered from only 40% of crime scenes, and DNA at a mere 10%. Now more than ever, forensic scientists are under pressure to improve their success rate – their challenge is to advance their crafts and uncover the hidden clues that are left at every crime scene.


Join author Lynda La Plante and former detective Cass Sutherland for a series that reveals the real secrets of CSI.

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Science

Medicine

True Crime

If you want to know what criminal investigation is like in real life, then get ready for a podcast that puts YOU at the crime scene. This series will look at the latest developments, the famous cases and how the forensic scientists are meeting the challenge laid down by a criminal who is forensically aware. Lynda La Plante has always been fascinated by criminality and the people that solve crime. Her books are celebrated for their authentic depictions of crime scenes and police procedures – something she achieves through meticulous research with her colleague, CSI Cass Sutherland. Over six episodes, Lynda and Cass will investigate six branches of forensics: discussing their own experiences, talking with experts, hearing how real life crime scenes are worked, exploring the latest innovations and demonstrating how CSI fact is even more thrilling than CSI fiction. Episodes will reveal how plant regrowth can be used to track a killer’s path months after a crime was committed; how a fly on the wall can be more than an observer; why the ‘sibling defence’ can unravel DNA evidence; and why a dog’s nose can sniff out cases of arson that the scientists miss. A murderer is 20% more likely to be convicted if forensic evidence can be presented in court by the prosecution. Yet fingerprints are currently recovered from only 40% of crime scenes, and DNA at a mere 10%. Now more than ever, forensic scientists are under pressure to improve their success rate – their challenge is to advance their crafts and uncover the hidden clues that are left at every crime scene. Join author Lynda La Plante and former detective Cass Sutherland for a series that reveals the real secrets of CSI.

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S4 Ep3: Forensic Geology – Part 1

S4 Ep3: Forensic Geology – Part 1

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