The application of sophisticated analytical methods to forensic investigations is gaining increased importance due to advances in instrumentation and sampling techniques.  Whilst X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a reasonably mature technique it is still of great importance because of its non-destructive nature; often allowing further investigations of the original intact specimens.  The major strength of XRD is its ability to identify and interpret crystalline components “directly”.  XRD can be used to analyse all manner of crystalline materials from crime scenes such as; explosive residues, soil materials, paint chips, adhesive tapes, building materials, minerals, alloys, ceramics, gemstones and drugs.  Various sample preparation techniques are employed depending on the quality and quantity of evidence available.  Materials can either be analysed undisturbed on the carrier object or removed and analysed separately.  Mounting the specimen in the instrument is also dependent on the size and shape of the items being investigated. 

Several case studies will be presented outlining aspects of XRD analysis applied to both criminal and environmental forensics.  Emphasis will be placed on case investigations where new approaches have been applied to analyse extremely small samples from shoes and clothing, and preparation procedures to obtain representative samples.  These case studies will include; pinpointing the location of buried bodies, identifying the source of industrial dust, analysis of bone fragments, and matching soil material from clothing to crime scenes.

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