Projects per year
Personal profile
Interests
Other
Work includes using Geology in forensic sciences, both in the search for hidden objects (bodies, buried materials) and in trace evidence analysis.
I currently supervise three PhD students. 1. Ben Rocke (crime scene mapping and sampling); 2. Amy Lally (Deglaciation in Iceland); 3. Amy O'Keefe (Multi-proxy Spatial Approach to Mapping Water)
Research Statement
Overview
- Geoforensics Impact Statements in UK Government Research Excellence Framework (2014 and 2021).
- Published over 170 peer-reviewed papers and one book.
- Completed ~200 consultancy projects, mainly on Geoforensics.
- Collaborative projects in 10 countries worldwide, Training Officer for the IUGS-funded Initiative on Forensic Geology
- Teaching includes geology, geomorphology, GIS, climate change, field classes throughout the UK, Ireland, Mediterranean, Geoforensics, Masters in Climate Change.
Interests
- Non-destructive analysis for landscape, forensic, archaeological, geological and geomorphological research.
- Triassic climate change.
- Forensic research. Multiproxy methods (remote sensing, geophysics, landscape interpretation) for the search of buried and sunk items. Trace evidence analysis methods for criminal investigations.
- Consultancy for engineering companies, the police and environment agencies and the Independent Commission for the Recovery of Victims Remains.
Teaching
GGY1007 Earth Fire and Ice
GGY2002 Landscapes & Geographic Information Systems
GGY3049 Geoforensics
The Science of Climate Change (Masters)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R1084BSC: Queens University Belfast and University of Aberdeen Doctoral Research and Training (QUADRAT)
Emmerson, M., Blaauw, M., Caplat, P., Helyar, S., McKinley, J., Roe, H. & Ruffell, A.
23/07/2019 → …
Project: Research
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R1079NBE: Queens University Belfast & University of Aberdeen Doctoral Research and Training (QUADRAT)
McKinley, J., Blaauw, M., Caplat, P., Emmerson, M., Helyar, S., Roe, H. & Ruffell, A.
21/07/2019 → …
Project: Research
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R6395ARL: Fragility and sustainability in restricted island environments: adaption, cultural change and collapse in prehistory
Ruffell, A., Blaauw, M., Hunt, C., Malone, C., McCormick, F., Reimer, P. & Whitehouse, N.
01/08/2012 → …
Project: Research
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R3360ARL: Specialist Projects December 2011 to March 2012
Donnelly, C., Brown, D., Meneely, J. & Ruffell, A.
01/08/2011 → …
Project: Research
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A Guide to Forensic Geology
Donnelly, L., Pirrie, D., Harrison, M., Ruffell, A. & Dawson, L., 15 Sep 2021, Bath, United Kingdom: Geological Society of London. 218 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book
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A new exposure of the North Curry Sandstone Member (Dunscombe Mudstone Formation, Mercia Mudstone Group: Carnian, Triassic), near Taunton, Somerset (UK): the location of Charles Moore’s vertebrate specimens resolved
Dawson, G. J., Burley, S. D., Ruffell, A., Benton, M. J. & Duffin, C. J., 11 Jul 2022, (Early online date) In: Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. 28 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Search Strategy for Buried Objects in Water: Geophysics, Probes and Dogs
Ruffell, A. & Powell, N., 09 Oct 2021, (Early online date) In: Forensic Sciences. 1, 3, p. 130-137Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile40 Downloads (Pure) -
Geoforensic search to crime scene: remote sensing, geophysics, and dogs
Ruffell, A., Rocke, B. & Powell, N., Jul 2023, In: Journal of Forensic Sciences. 68, 4, p. 1379-1385 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Historic child homicide burial search in rural woodland
Pringle, J. K., Ruffell, A., Wisniewski, K. D., Davenward, B., Heaton, V. & Hobson, L., 17 Jun 2023, (Early online date) In: Forensic Science International: Reports. 100324.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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Fellow of the Geological Society of London
Ruffell, Alastair (Recipient), 2001
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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William Smith Medal
Ruffell, Alastair (Recipient), 04 Jun 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Proceedings of the Geologists' Association (Journal)
Alastair Ruffell (Peer reviewer)
31 Aug 2020Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
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Forensic Geology
Alastair Ruffell (Advisor) & Laurance Donnelly (Contributor)
21 Feb 2020Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Archaeology for All: Event 2 at The Giant's Ring
Laura Basell (Organiser), Michael O'Mahony (Organiser), Jonathan Small (Organiser), Kirsten Cottey (Organiser), Lauren Carberry O'Neill (Organiser), Adam Purvis (Organiser), Georgia Vince (Organiser), Dan Clarke (Host), James Perkins (Contributor), Alastair Ruffell (Contributor), Stine Carlsson (Contributor), Barrie Hartwell (Contributor) & Tomasz Ciesielski (Presenter)
19 May 2018Activity: Other activity types › Hosting a school group or open day
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Albertiana (Journal)
Alastair Ruffell (Peer reviewer)
01 Jan 2018Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review
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Albertiana (Journal)
Alastair Ruffell (Peer reviewer)
01 Jan 2018Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review
Press/Media
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FBI Soil Trace Evidence Video
05/11/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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How science is helping the police search for bodies in water
30/03/2017
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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How science is helping the police search for bodies in water
23/03/2017
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Digging up the past in the name of justice
22/11/2014
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Going Underground - Article in Police Professional
23/08/2007
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other