'Environmental Forensics' Could Cut The Cost Of Brownfield Development

Environmental Forensics is an emerging scientific field, which could help investigators prove who is responsible for pollution. It could specifically help develop contaminated brownfield sites, which are abandoned industrial facilities available for re-use. Environmental forensics will determine who caused the incidence of pollution, as many brownfield sites usually have chemically contaminated soil or groundwater. Those found responsible for the pollution will then have to pay to clean the area up. Environmental forensics focuses on how and when the contamination occurred, the impact of the pollution, and whether an incident has been illegally covered up. The integration of forensic science will help guide the investigations, and make the legal proceedings faster. Professor Kalin stated, “Environmental forensics aims to offer an authoritative, effective and efficient way of proving or disproving liability for pollution,” says Professor Kalin. “It could reduce the scope for argument, minimise legal hold-ups, cut the length of court cases and so speed up brownfield development in future.” This field could even help the redevelopment of the site for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.