Advances in Forensic Geophysics

Traditionally, forensic geophysics involves the study, search, localization, and mapping of buried objects or elements within soil, buildings, or water using geophysics tools for legal purposes. Recently, with the evolution of environmental crimes, forensic geophysics gave special care to detection, location, and quantification of polluting products. New techniques including the magnetic susceptibility have emerged to investigate this type of crimes. After discussing the state of the art of forensic geophysics, this chapter proposed the magnetic susceptibility as an efficient tool of environmental crimes detection. A case study of pollution detection was proposed from Tunisia. Being a fast and cheap technique, magnetic surveys represent a real promise for environmental forensic geophysics.

On the problems of application of customary law in the criminal prosecution of persons of small indigenous peoples of the north

The subject of the study is the problems of application of the norms of criminal law stipulating responsibility for environmental crimes against representatives of persons of small indigenous minorities of the North, the essence of which is the conflict between the positive law and the customary law of these peoples. The purpose of the study is to analyze the causes of this conflict, as well as to substantiate the necessity of applying the norms of customary law of indigenous peoples of the North in their criminal prosecution for environmental crimes. As a result of the study, the assumption is made that knowledge of the norms of customary law by law enforcement officials will allow to relieve social tension between the indigenous peoples of the North and the law enforcement agencies. That is why it is necessary to begin work on the formation of a code of customary law, as well as recommendations for its application, which could become a document to be used as a recommendation for law enforcement bodies in their decision-making.

Criminal Liability of Legal Entities for Environmental Crimes: Problems of Law Enforcement Practice

The aim of the article was to conduct a comparative legal analysis of the features and problems of criminal prosecution of legal entities for environmental crimes. The research objectives were fulfilled through modern methods of cognition. The leading practical method was the method of observation. The study allowed to form a conceptual understanding of theoretical ideas about environmental crimes of legal entities in Ukraine. Currently, Ukraine is trying to focus in its legislative innovations on the implementation of progressive approaches to the introduction of a comprehensive institution of criminal law measures regarding the liability of these entities. Relevant legal mechanisms and comments identified in the practice of the European Union and substantiated by scholars, can be implemented in the legislation of Ukraine. Amendments to the rules governing the procedure for effective prevention of environmental crimes by legal entities are proposed. It seems reasonable to introduce an active monitoring analysis of anthropogenic activities of companies, and the creation of special units to identify relevant violations. The mechanisms for implementing the set of preventive and monitoring measures outlined in the article, set the background for further scientific research.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NOTARY AND REGISTRY SERVICE AS AN ALLY OF COMPLIANCE IN THE PREVENTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES

Este estudo visa analisar a necessária regulação da atividade notarial e do registo, habilitando-a a funcionar como braço dos Órgãos de controle e fiscalização das atividades das pessoas e entidades. Em primeiro lugar, é apresentada uma conceituação do Direito Notarial e de Registro. Em seguida, são analisados os princípios básicos, buscando cumprir os objetivos propostos. Em seguida, demonstra-se a relação do serviço notarial com as práticas de compliance na prevenção de crimes ambientais. Por fim, quando da apresentação do Dispositivo 88/2019 do Conselho Nacional de Justiça (CNJ), é feita uma análise crítica de seu conteúdo e eficácia. Este trabalho conclui que o CNJ se saiu bem ao incluir cartórios, registros e protestos como aliados no combate ao crime organizado e ao financiamento do terrorismo. No entanto, ainda é necessário o desenvolvimento de práticas regulatórias por parte dos serviços no que se refere aos crimes ambientais, dada a importância do tema. O regulamento proposto pode revelar-se um importante aliado na prevenção de crimes, degradações e tragédias.

Environmental crimes and green criminology in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is an environmentally vulnerable country, where environmental crimes are massive and common. However, the environmental crime prevention mechanism in the country is very weak, and traditional policing is utilized to stop these crimes. Therefore, the green criminological approach to prevent environmental crimes in Bangladesh is underdeveloped in many ways, with a total absence of the green policing model. Hence, this study focuses on attaining a critical understanding of environmental crimes in Bangladesh by exploring the key underlying factors of environmental crimes. It also attempts to contribute to the environmental crime prevention mechanism by recommending a green policing model, while identifying the key weaknesses of the existing environmental crime prevention approach. This article implements the qualitative technique of data collection, and the analysis is based on an in-depth interview of 25 respondents, belonging to different categories of stakeholders, and participant observation. It also analyses the content of newspapers to understand the patterns of environmental crimes in Bangladesh. This article finds that environmental crimes are propagated by several political, economic, institutional, and social elements, such as the political affiliation of criminals, economic profit from natural resources, absence of institutional collaboration, and lack of social consciousness. The issue has become further aggravated due to the weakness of the crime prevention mechanism. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that environmental crimes in Bangladesh should be considered and understood from green criminological perspectives and the development of a green policing model would be effective in reducing environmental crimes in the country.

Forensic medical determination of harm caused to human health in environmental crime cases

The article describes one of the most urgent needs of the investigation the development of a fundamentally new approach to the forensic medical assessment of harm to human health caused by environmental crimes. Th e special signifi cance of new approaches to establishing a causal relationship between a committed environmental off ense and harm to life and (or) health, including for distinguishing from other possible anthropogenic impacts, is shown. A practical example of expert assistance to the investigation in establishing the circumstances to be proved during the investigation of an environmental crime is given.

The effect of carbonization on the wood anatomy of Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel

Considering the extraordinary diversity of the Brazilian Cerrado and the difficulties related to the inspection of environmental crimes, knowing the wood and charcoal anatomy of widely exploited species is important. Thus, this study aimed to verify the anatomical characteristics of the wood and charcoal of Sclerolobium paniculatum. Therefore, anatomical characterizations of the wood and the charcoal produced were performed in order to compare the characteristics of both materials and observe any possible changes in the anatomical properties after carbonization. The results exposed that the qualitative anatomical characteristics of S. paniculatum wood can be maintained after the carbonization process. However, quantitatively, the carbonization increased the vessel frequency value and height and width of rays, despite reducing the frequency of rays. The diameter of the vessels was not altered by carbonization. This characterization of the species can then serve as a database for future identification of charcoal produced with this wood. In addition, it can encourage increasing the quality of inspection and consequently reducing the illegal exploitation of the species in natural environments.

Exploring the farming and waste disposal nexus in the UK: Towards a typology of 'Environmental Criminals'

The farming Industry and rural locations are increasingly being targeted by predatory environmental criminals but as will be demonstrated there is also an insider element to environmental crimes. Such criminal activities pose an environmental challenge and require creative solutions. Indeed, the notion of the farmer as an environmental criminal is a contentious addition to the typology of rural criminals. Traditionally, environmental crime was an overlooked and under researched category of criminology, primarily because 'farmers' as a genre were treated with an elevated level of societal respect in line with their 'idyllic' portrayal. They do not fit accepted social constructs and stereotypes of the urban based criminal fraternity. Consequentially, we heard little of the stereotype of the 'bad' farmer. Recent years have seen a rise in public interest and concern relating to ethical aspects of farming leading to a raising of public awareness. Farmers are no longer immune from criticism, nor prosecution. Using documentary research methods this study reports on several high-profile cases at the nexus and reveals an updated typology of rural environmental crimes and criminals.