News
09-Aug-2006 - LGC Forensics launches new gemmology service
Another pioneering development from LGC Forensics - the UK’s
first forensic gemmology service
LGC Forensics, the recently branded forensic division of LGC,
has developed a new LGC Forensics Gemmology service, specialising
in material identification, authentication and valuation of
gemstones, precious metals and counterfeit
currency.
Aimed at both commercial and criminal casework, the new service
is set to aid officers in achieving successful convictions on
specialist fraud and deception cases, and provides a report of all
results in a format suitable for presentation in court.
Dr Matthew Higginson, Forensic Scientist at LGC Forensics and
developer of the new service said: “Criminal cases such as
fraud and deception involving gemstones are becoming increasingly
common, especially in metropolitan areas. In the past, such
cases may not have been investigated fully because appropriate
expertise is hard to identify. LGC Forensics is continually
looking for ways to expand the service it offers and feedback from
our customers has shown that this is one service they seem to be
requiring more frequently. We are therefore delighted to now be
able to offer this new service to our customers in our commitment
to be the provider of choice for police forces in the UK.”
Dr Higginson qualified with the Gemmological Association of
Great Britain (Gem-A), an international leading provider of
gemstone and diamond education worldwide. Dr Higginson
said: “The expertise of the gemmologist involves not only
the correct use of examination instruments, but also the correct
recognition of characteristics essential for identification of
gemstones such as their diagnostic inclusions and absorption
spectra. Both practical skills and in-depth theoretical
knowledge are required. “
In addition to gem materials, which include diamond, ruby, jade,
amber and pearl, LGC Forensics can also examine precious metals and
counterfeit currency. Applications of the new service range
from fraud cases, in which imitation gems are sold to unsuspecting
victims, through to the importation of illegal materials such as
ivory, and the sale of low grades of precious metals such as gold
and platinum.
LGC Forensics, incorporating Forensic Alliance since 2005, is
one of Europe´s leading private sector suppliers of integrated
forensic services to law enforcement organisations, government
departments, coroners, private companies, defence lawyers and
individuals. LGC Forensics provides a broad investigative and
analytical capability for expert testimony suitable for criminal or
civil courts of law across the entire forensic spectrum of case
types, from major crime investigation through to routine volume
crime. LGC Forensics delivers both high volume work for larger
forces and combined regional tenders as well as smaller-scale local
provision from six forensic laboratories across the UK in
Teddington (Middlesex), Culham (Oxfordshire), Runcorn and Risley
(Cheshire), Tamworth (Staffordshire) and a specialist firearms
facility in Leeds.
Notes to Editors