Lorna Dawson

Head of Forensic Science
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
T: +44 (0)7815 178093

Dame Professor Lorna Dawson is Head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Forensic Science at the James Hutton Institute and has over 30 years’ experience in managing and conducting research in soil and plant interactions, in particular its application in the criminal justice system. She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the King's New Year Honours List for 2026.

Biography

Lorna is honorary professor in Forensic Science at Robert Gordon University and is the SEFARI Gateway Knowledge Exchange Lead for Environment and Soils. She contributes to Forensic Science courses at the universities of Aberdeen, Strathclyde, Abertay, Edinburgh, UHI and CESPU, Portugal. She has supervised over 20 PhD projects and has published over 100 refereed journal papers, books and book chapters, and regularly presents at national and international conferences.  

Lorna developed and pioneered the application of soil organo-mineral markers in forensic investigations and was Principal Investigator on a research project funded by the EPSRC (SoilFit), developing tools for soil characterisation in forensics and an aligned engagement project (GIMI) and was lead advisor on a Danish project to test the use of soil forensics in police case work (SoilTracker), is Chair of the Forensic Geology Group, Geological Society, London, and treasurer of an international Geoforensics network (IUGS Initiative on Forensic Geology-IFG), a committee member of the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) Animals, Plants, Soils Traces (APST) working group, a member of the Technical Committee of the University of Messina, Rome, teaching on the Masters in Forensic Geology course and an affiliate member of the NIST OSAC geo trace evidence affiliates group.  

Lorna has reported and advised on over 150 cases, written over 100 Expert Witness reports, in the UK and overseas. She has presented evidence in over 20 cases, including: WA v Rayney, Perth, Australia, 2012; R v Davies, North Wales, 2013; HMA v Sinclair, Livingstone, 2014; R v Halliwell, Bristol, 2016; HMA v Willox, Glasgow, 2020, HMA v MacDowell, Inverness, 2022; R v Southwood, Newport, 2023; HMA v Barnes, Edinburgh, 2023; HMA v Packer, Glasgow, 2024 and the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry, Edinburgh, 2022. Dawson was awarded a Special Recognition award at the Pride of Britain 2017 awards ceremony, a fellow the RSA in 2017, a fellow of the RSE in 2018, and was awarded the RSE James Hutton medal for excellence in Earth and Environmental sciences in 2023. She is a trained facilitator, regularly teaching on university courses, training police forces in crime scene sampling and she chairs several stakeholder groups, is  a science communicator, a STEM Ambassador, and regularly contributes to crime novels and award winning films, television such as Expert Witness, David Wilson’s Crime files and at public events such as University Challenge and the RI Christmas Lecture 2023 on forensic science. She has  worked with a range of crime authors, for example, crime author Ann Cleeves to produce a Murder, Mystery Pack to be distributed to libraries to run public events. She regularly presents at book festivals such as Bloody Scotland, 2023 and Bute Noir, 2024. She provided written evidence in the House of Lords inquiry into Forensic Science in 2019 and oral evidence to the Westminster inquiry into Forensic Science in September 2023. 

 

Research

Lorna developed and pioneered the application of soil organo-mineral markers in forensic investigations and was Principal Investigator on a research project funded by the EPSRC (SoilFit), developing tools for soil characterisation in forensics and an aligned engagement project (GIMI) in the UK. This work involved collaboration with various forensic experts in the National Crime Agency, the Forensic Science Service, and various police laboratories and police forces. She was Lead PI on a FW7 European grant (MiSAFE) developing and testing microbial tools for use in case work across Europe. She is currently a PI on a UKRI funded project, Single-cell and single molecule analysis for DNA identification (SCAnDi) and on a ERC funded project, Synergy-Plague, led by the Oslo University, Norway. Lorna has co-edited seminal books on Geoforensics (Springer, 2009 and The Geological Society, London, 2013 and 2021) is a trained Expert Witness and is Head of the Hutton Soil Forensic team and has worked on over 100 forensic cases in the UK and abroad, as a forensic soil expert working for police forces, lawyers and forensic service providers. She is a Fellow of the British Society of Soil Science, a Chartered Scientist, and was a council member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (2009-2013) and was a member of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Science in Society panel (2007-2011). She has considerable experience in knowledge exchange around the topics of soil and environment, has worked on sabbatical for the BBC, advising on ‘Countryfile’, ‘Vera’ and ‘Silent Witness’. She is responsible for developing many of the Institute’s soil education resources, for example, the soils posters, composting activities, and an interactive book Soils of the Crofts which has been translated into Gaelic with Crofting Connections. She regularly organises and performs in public debating events and was awarded best live science communication event, 2009. She was a member of the General Committee of the British Science Association 2013 to 2020, is a STEM Ambassador; and a member of the Chief Scientist’s Science and Engineering Community Forum (2015). She coordinated sessions at the International Crime Science Meetings, London, 2007-2009 and organised major conferences on environmental and criminal soil forensics in 2007 and 2010 and the International Network of Environmental Forensics, and has co-organised major international conferences in 2007 (Edinburgh), 2010 (California) 2012 (The Hague) and 2016 (London) and at The Geological Society of London in 2020 and in 2023.  She is a Fellow of the RSE and the RSA, a Commissioner and a member of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission’s (FFCC) Research Advisory Group (December, 2017 to present), on the Editorial Board of Geoscience and a member of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Academic Committee, 2018 to 2021.  

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Dawson, L.A.; Morrice, J.; Rodway, P. (2011) Soils of the crofts., The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.
  • Eley, Y.L.; Pedentchouk, N.P.; Dawson, L.A. (2011) Tracing higher plant inputs to coastal sediments: an integrated isotopic and molecular for forensic investigation., In: Morrison, R.D. & O’Sullivan, G. (eds.). Environmental Forensics. Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing, London, 218-231.
  • Mayes, R.W.; Brewer, M.J.; Dawson, L.A.; Ross, J.M. (2011) An objective method for comparing unresolved complex mixture (UCM) “humps” in gas chromatograms., In: Morrison, R.D. & O’Sullivan, G. (eds.). Environmental Forensics. Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing, London, 275-284.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Towers, W.; Owen, J.; White, D.; Coull, M.C.; Ross, J.M.; Donnelly, D.; Cooper, P. (2010) Soils of the crofts., In: Dawson, L.A., Morrice, J. & Rodway, P. Soils of the Crofts. The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.
  • Ritz, K.; Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R. (eds.) (2009) Criminal and environmental soil forensics., Springer, 519pp. ISBN: 978-1-4020-9203-9
  • Barclay, A.D.; Dawson, L.A.; Donnelly, L.J.; Miller, D.R.; Ritz, K. (2009) Soils in forensic science: underground meets underworld., In: Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.). Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Springer, Dordrecht, Chapter 32, 501-514.ISBN: 978-1-4020-9203-9
  • Morrisson, A.; McColl, S.; Dawson, L.; Brewer, M. (2009) Characterisation and discrimination of urban soils: Preliminary results from The Soil Forensics University Network., In: Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.). Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Springer, Chapter 6, 75-86. ISBN: 978-1-4020-9203-9
  • Mayes, R.W.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Discrimination of domestic garden soils using plant wax compounds as markers., In: Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.). Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics. Springer, Chapter 29, 463-476.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Byers, R.A. (2008) Methods for studying root herbivory., In: Johnson, S., Murray, P. & Masters, G. (eds.). Root Herbivory. CABI, Wallingford, Chapter 1, 3-19.. ISBN: 978 1 84593 461
  • Dawson, L.A.; Campbell, C.D.; Hillier, S.; Brewer, M.J. (2008) Methods of characterising and fingerprinting soils for forensic application., In: Tibbett, M. & Carter, D.O. (eds.). Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 271-315.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Grayston, S.J.; Murray, P.J.; Cook, R.; Gange, A.C.; Ross, J.M.; Pratt, S.M.; Duff, E.I.; Treonis, A. (2003) Influence of pasture management on soil organisms and pasture root system dynamics., In: Roots: The Dynamic Interface Between Plants and the Earth (ed. J.J. Abe). Developments in Plant and Soil Science 101, Kluwer, The Netherlands, pp121-130.
  • Atkinson, D.; Mackie-Dawson, L.A. (2001) Root growth. Methods of measurement., In: Soil Analysis – physical methods (eds. K. Smith and C. Mullins). 2nd ed. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp435-497.
  • Mackie-Dawson, L.A. and Atkinson, D. (1991) Methodology for the study of roots in field experiments and the interpretation of results., In: Plant Root Growth – an Ecological Perspective (ed. D. Atkinson). Blackwell, Oxford, pp25-48.
  • Atkinson, D.; Mackie-Dawson, L.A. (1990) Root growth – methods of measurement., In: Soil Analysis – physical methods (eds. K. A. Smith and C.E. Mullins). Marcel Decker Publications, New York, pp447-509.

Technical / contract reports

  • Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R.; Morrice, J.G.; Wing, E. (2010) GIMI network., Final Report to EPSRC.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2009) Science in society., Advisory Panel Meeting Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, STFC, 30th June 2009.
  • Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Dawson, L.A. (2008) Micro-scale Approaches to Soil Evidence (micro – ASE)., Science and Technology Facilities Council: SRS Experiment Report 2008.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Lund, J.; Vannett, V.A.; Crisp, E.M. (2008) A series of power point presentations for Higher Geography: Biosphere, soils and succession. 1. An introduction to soils, soil formation and terminology; 2. Soils and their main characteristics; 3. Dune sucession; 4. Moorland succession., Learning Teaching Scotland (LTS).
  • Dawson, L.A.; Delbos, E.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Analytical investigation on soils from Roman finds., Report for National Museums of Scotland, May 2007.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2006) The Royal Society of Edinburgh International Exchange Programme Report., The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2004) Report to the Royal Society on the scientist / MP pairing scheme, 2003-2004., The Royal Society, London.
  • Miller, D.R.; Lund, J.; Towers, W.; Dawson, L.A.; Hillier, S. (2003) Dr Miller’s toolkit for countryside change: a contribution towards “public understanding of science”., SALSA Regional Workshop RR30, The Moorings Hotel, Fort William, 24 May 2018, 14pp.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2002) Report on visit of Dr Lorna Dawson to the International Society of Root Research., The Great Britain Saskawa Foundation, Dilke House, Malet Street, London.
  • Murray, P.J.; Grayston, S.J.; Gange, A.C.; Dawson, L.A. and Cook, R. (2002) Biodiversity of invertebrate root feeders and their impact on soil microbial communities., Final Report NERC Research Grant.
  • Murray, P.J.; Grayston, S.J.; Gange, A.C.; Treonis, A.M.; Currie, A.; Cook, R. and Dawson, L.A. (2002) Biodiversity of invertebrate root feeders and their impact on soil microbial communities., Annual Progress Report of the NERC Soil Biodiversity Programme, Project #2113, NERC Publication, pp48-50.
  • Dawson, L.A. (1997) Review of Windows version of Delta-T-scan., Delta-T series, Burwell, Cambridge.
  • Sibbald, A.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Agnew, R.D.M.; Laviolette, P.; Dawson, L.A.; Elston, D.A.; Harrison, C. (1994) Effects of nitrogen fertilizer, herbicide and sward height control in competition between trees and grass in a silvopastoral system., Agroforestry Forum, 5, 17-18.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Sir M MacDonald and Partners (1986) Investigations into the proposed water abstraction from the river Spey : Spey alluvial investigations. Agricultural studies. Volume 2. Appendices., Report to Department of Water Services, Grampian Regional Council.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Sir M MacDonald and Partners (1986) Investigations into the proposed water abstraction from the river Spey : Spey alluvial investigations. Agricultural studies. Volume 1. Main report., Report to Department of Water Services, Grampian Regional Council. CD of scans held on file
  • Dawson, L.A.; Sir M MacDonald and Partners (1983) Investigations into the proposed water abstraction from the river Spey : Spey alluvial investigations. Feasibility study., Report to Department of Water Services, Grampian Regional Council.

Conference papers

  • Eley, Y.; Pedentchouk, N.; Dawson, L.A. (2011) Tracing plant inputs to sediments; a combined isotopic and molecular forensic approach., International Network of Environmental Forensics Conference, INEF, St John’s College, Cambridge, 24-27 July 2011. Conference Proceedings, pp.28.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Rhind, S.M.; Zhang, Z.L.; Poggio, L.; Kyle, C.E.; Mayes, R.W.; Aalders, I.H.; Osprey, M.; Ross, J.; Cuthbert, A. (2011) Distribution of PAHs across the soils of Scotland., International Network of Environmental Forensics Conference, St John’s College, Cambridge, 24-27 July 2011. Conference Proceedings, pp.18-19.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Czerniakiewicz, M.; Handley, K.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.M.; Towers, W.; Donnelly, D.; Mayes, R.W. (2010) A complementary approach to the forensic analysis of soil in case investigations., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 3rd, Long Beach, California, 2-4 November 2010.
  • Campbell, C.D.; Towers, W.; Dawson, L.A.; Coull, M.C. (2010) Public engagement – How we make soils entertaining., World Congress of Soil Science: Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 19th, Brisbane Australia, 1-6 August 2010.
  • Donnelly, D.; Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R.; Macdonald, L.M. (2008) Geographic modelling of soil attributes and access for investigative purposes., In: International Crime Science Conference, British Library, London, 16-17 July 2008.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Macdonald, C.A.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W. (2008) Plant wax markers: developing methods to compliment mineralogical techniques., International Crime Science Conference 2008, Science, Crime and Security: Creating Sustainable Partnerships, British Library, London, 17-18 July 2008.
  • Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.A.; Hillier, S.; Robertson, J.; Ross, J.; Thornton, B. (2008) Traces of soil from archaeological artefacts: a multidisciplinary approach., International Crime Science Conference 2008, London, 17-18 July 2008.
  • Robertson, J.; Delbos, E.; Dawson, L.; Angus, K.; Morrisson, A. (2007) In situ FTIR analysis of soil evidence on clothing., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007.
  • Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A.; Ritz, K.; Bellamy, P.H.; Rawlins, B.; Wilson, A.K. (2007) Developing integrated geographic soils data and analysis for crime investigation., Conference proceedings paper (published on CD “Science, Crime and Security- making connections”).
  • Mayes, R.W.; Dawson, L.A.; Smith, C.; Morrisson, A.; Ross, J.M.; Milton, S. (2007) Using gas chromatographic information from plant wax compounds and similar substances for forensic matching of urban garden soils., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007, p27.
  • Hillier, S.; Dawson, L.A.; Robertson, J, Delbos, E.; Shiels, J.; Campbell, S.; Mayes, R.W.; Ross, J.M. (2007) Provenancing archaeological objects using traces of soil., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007.
  • Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A.; Ritz, K. (2007) Soil Forensics International., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007.
  • Morrisson, A. L.; McColl, S.; Dawson, L.A.; Cocks, S.; Macdonald, L.; Mayes, R.W. (2007) The Soil Forensic University Network (SoilFUN) – a collaborative project., Conference Proceedings, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007, p25.
  • Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A. (2007) Soil forensics., International Crime Science Conference, British Library, London, 16-17 July 2007. Published CD- 2 Soil Forensic Sessions.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson, A.; Macdonald, L.M.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Robertson, J.; Towers, W.; Brewer, M. (2007) Soil Forensics University Network (SoilFUN) Protocols., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson, A.; Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Robertson, J. (2007) Soil Forensics University Network (SoilFUN) Outline., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2006) Identification of crime scene origin through the use of soil organic evidence., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 8-9 April, 2006, p27.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Wiltshire, P.; Barclay, D. (2006) Soil analysis – meeting the needs of the investigators., Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences, 18th, Perth, Australia 2-7 April 2006, p59.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Wiltshire, P.; Barclay, D. (2006) Soil analysis-meeting the needs of investigators. The move from research to practice., International Symposium of the Forensic Science: Classroom to Courtroom, 18th, Perth, Australia, 2-7 April 2006, p59.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Murray, P.J.; Vaisanen, K.; Duff, E.I.; Ross, J.M. (2005) Soil nutrient supply and herbivory influence grass root longevity., In: Plant nutrtition for food security, human health and environmental protection (ed. C.J. Li et al.). Proceedings, International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, Beijing, China, 14-19 September, 2005. Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China, pp458-459.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Murray, P.J.; Vaisanen, K.; Duff, E.I.; Ross, J.M.; Grayston, S.J.; Treonis, A.M.; Macdonald, L.M.; Paterson, E. (2005) Soil nutrient supply and herbivory influence grass root longevity., International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, XV, Beijing, The People’s Republic of China, 14-19 September 2005. Oral presentation.
  • Murray, P.J.; Cook, R.; Dawson, L.A.; Gange, A.C.; Grayston, S.J. and Treonis, A.M. (2005) Impact of root herbivory on grassland community structure: from landscape to microscale., International Grassland Congress, Dublin, 2005.
  • Cook, R.; Dawson, L.; Murray, P.; Gange, A.; Grayston, S.; Mizen, A. Treonis, A. and Ostle, N. (2004) Grassland management practices and the diversity of soil nematode communities., International Colloquium on Soil Zoology and Ecology, XIV, University of Rouen-Mount Saint Aignan, France, 30 August – 3 September 2004, p246. Abstracts.
  • Murray, P.; Cook, R.; Dawson, L.; Gange, A.; Grayston, S. and Treonis, A. (2004) Insect root herbivores, plants and microbes., International Colloquium on Soil Zoology and Ecology, XIV, University of Rouen-Mount Saint Aignan, France, 30 August – 3 September 2004, p169. Abstracts.
  • Brewer, M.J.; Elston , D.A.; Dawson, L.A.; Mayes, R.W. (2004) Principal components analysis of compositional problems., Ecological Economics.183, Article No. 106954.
  • Green, J.J.; Dawson, L.A.; Proctor, J.; Duff, E.I. (2003) Fine root dynamics in a tropical rainforest in Borneo., Fine Root Turnover Workshop, Uppsala, Sweden, 8-11 September 2003, p9.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Towers, W.; Mayes, R.W.; Craig, J.; Vaisanen, K. and Waterhouse, C. (2003) Use of plant wax in signatures in understanding Scottish soils., Annual Meeting of Geological Society, London. March 2003.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Grayston, S.J.; Murray, P.J.; Ross, J.M.; Pratt, S.M.; Cook, R.; Gange, A.; Treonis, A. and Currie, A. (2002) Grass root system growth and dynamics., Scottish Root Group Annual Meeting. Oral Presentation.
  • Cook, R.; Dawson, L.A.; Gange, A.; Grayston, S.J.; Mizen, T.; Murray, P.; Treonis, A.; Ostle, N. (2002) Relationships between nematode and microbial community responses and carbon transfers in grassland soils., International Conference of Nematology, 4th, Tenerife, Spain, June 2002. Abstracts.
  • Grayston, S.J.; Treonis, A.M.; Dawson, L.A.; Murray, P.J.; Currie, A.; Gange, A.C.; Primrose, R.; Reid, E.J.; Ross, J.M.; Ord, B.G. (2002) Belowground herbivory of grass and clover: impacts on rhizosphere carbon flow and soil microorganisms., New Phytologist Symposium on Impacts of Soil Microbes on Plant Population Dynamics and Productivity, 8th, Helsinki, Finland, 9-15 June 2002. p40. Abstracts.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Eley, Y.; Pedentchouk, N.; Hoogewerff, J.; Dawson, L.A.; Guede, A. (2011) Molecular and isotopic composition of organic compounds: a useful tool for forensic provenancing?, European Geosciences Union Conference General Assembly, Vienna, 3-8 April 2011.
  • Mayes, R.W.; Dawson, L.A.; Ross, J.M. (2011) Organic markers to fingerprint sewage sludge to assist in forensic tracking in the environment., International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF) Conference, St John’s College, Cambridge, 25-27 July 2011.
  • Mayes, R.W.; Brewer, M.; Dawson, L.A.; Ross, J.M. (2011) An objective method for comparing unresolved complex mixture (UCM) “humps” in gas chromatograms of hydrocarbon extracts from soils polluted with petroleum products., International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF) Conference, St John’s College, Cambridge, 25-27 July 2011.
  • Eley, Y.; Pedentchouk, N.; Dawson, L.A.; Hoogewerff, J. (2011) Sourcing of plant inputs to sediments: a multi-method isotopic and molecular approach in soil forensics., International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF) Conference, St John’s College, Cambridge, 25-27 July 2011.
  • Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Mauquoy, D.; Dawson, L.A. (2010) Development of plant wax biomarker analysis in soil for use in forensic investigation., International Workshop on Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics, 3rd, Long Beach, California, 2-4 November 2010.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Gray, J. (2009) Plant soil interactions., The Joint Meeting of the Scottish Root Group and the Scottish Soils Discussion Group of BSSS, 3 November 2009. Book of Abstracts.
  • Dawson, L.A. (2009) Soil intelligence and evidence for criminal investigation., Knowledge Scotland Event, Scottish Government, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, 12 August 2009.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Hillier, S.J.; Macdonald, L.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Ross, J.M.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2009) Chemical profiling of soil for forensic application., Royal Society of Chemistry, 42nd IUPAC Congress: Chemistry Solutions, SECC, Glasgow, 2 -7 August 2009.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Hester, A.J.; Ross, J.M.; Hood, K.; Gwatkin, R.; Potts, J.; Bell, J.; Sommerkorn, M. (2009) Carbon dynamics in heather moorland – impact of tree establishment., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.
  • Ruffell, A.; Donnelly, L.J.; Dawson, L.A.; Murray, R. (2008) The future of geoforensics., Earth Science Review, 2008. p24.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R.; Donnelly, L.J.; Cassella, J.P.; Pringle, J.K.; Hollingsworth, K. (2008) Communication in Forensic Geoscience featuring an example from TV., Forensic Geoscience Group, The Geological Society: Geosceintific Equipment and Techniques at Crime Scenes, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London 16-17 December 2008.
  • Macdonald, L.M.; Singh, B.K.; Macdonald, C.A.; Ritz, K.; Horswell, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Mayes, R.W.; Dawson, L.A. (2008) Evaluating the potential of molecular microbiology in the forensic examination of soil., BSSS Autumn Meeting: Something Old, Something New: integrating molecular biology with other techniques in soil science, Rothamsted Research, 17 September 2008.
  • Anderson, C.; Dawson, L.A.; Morrisson. A. (2008) An investigation into the potential use of soil n-alkane analysis in an urban forensic case study., Forensic Research and Teaching Conference, Aberdeen, 1-3 July 2008.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Macdonald, L.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Ross, J.M. (2008) Forensic Geoscience: utilising soil colour and plant wax markers to aid criminal investigations., Forensic Research and Teaching Conference, Aberdeen, 1-3 July 2008.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Miller, D.R. (2008) Bird diversity and psychological wellbeing A comparison of green and coastal blue space in a neotropical city., Science of the Total Environment, 793, Article No.148653.
  • Currey, P.; Artz, R.R.E.; Dawson, L.A.; van der Wal, R.; Johnson, D. (2008) Interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and carbon dynamics in peatlands., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME -12), 12th, Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008. Abstract No. 0237.
  • Miller, D.R.; Dawson, L.A.; Ritz, K.; GIMI Network. (2007) Geoforensics for information management and crime investigation., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007. Abstract and poster presentation, p47
  • Dawson, L.A. (2007) SoilFit: integration of soil fingerprinting techniques for forensic application., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007. Abstract and poster presentation, p40.
  • Ross, J.M.; Mayes, R.W.; Dawson, L.A. (2007) Development of methodology for analysis of small soil samples for plant wax biomarkers enabling their use in forensic investigation., Soil Forensics International Conference, Edinburgh, 30 October – 1 November 2007. Abstract and poster presentation, p51.

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