Environmental Forensics Services

Environmental Forensics is the specialized science of investigating contaminant releases to determine their source, timing, and responsible parties. We employ state-of-the-art analytical techniques and advanced data interpretation to provide definitive, scientifically defensible answers that resolve complex environmental litigation and allocate liability.

Our expert services convert complex contamination data into clear, actionable evidence for our clients across legal, insurance, industrial, and real estate sectors.

Key Forensic Services and Technical Expertise

We utilize advanced methodologies to develop reliable conceptual site models and pinpoint the origin of contamination with high confidence.

1. High-Resolution Source Identification

We go beyond standard site assessments to chemically “fingerprint” contaminants, providing irrefutable evidence of source linkage.

• Chemical Fingerprinting: Utilizing advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques to analyze the unique molecular composition of contaminants like petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Isotope Ratio Analysis (IRMS): Employing Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) to measure stable isotope ratios, providing a geochemical signature that distinguishes sources or tracks biodegradation pathways.
• Geochronology and Age Dating: Determining the release date of contaminants using forensic indicators like lead-isotope ratios or analyzing specific marker compounds.

2. Contaminant Fate and Transport Modeling

We assess how contaminants have moved through the environment to determine the extent of impact and differentiate between commingled plumes.

• Groundwater Hydrogeology: Applying advanced numerical modeling software to simulate plume migration in complex geological settings.
• Bioremediation Assessment: Utilizing molecular biological tools (MBTs), such as Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), to measure the presence and activity of microbial populations capable of natural attenuation.

3. Expert Witness and Litigation Support

Our findings are presented in robust reports and expert testimony, standing up to rigorous legal scrutiny.

• Litigation Support: Providing authoritative scientific reports for liability allocation and cost recovery actions, clearly defining the contribution of multiple responsible parties.
• Expert Witness: Providing testimony that converts complex technical data into clear, defensible evidence for legal proceedings.

Need to unravel complex environmental liabilities?

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