Home / Science / Soil Scientist Becomes Dame for Justice Work
Soil Scientist Becomes Dame for Justice Work
30 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Professor Lorna Dawson receives damehood for forensic soil science innovation.
- Her work transformed forensic soil science into a vital justice tool.
- She has advised on over 150 cases, including high-profile trials.
Professor Dame Lorna Dawson, head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute, has been awarded a damehood for her significant contributions to forensic soil science. For over thirty years, she has dedicated her research to understanding soil and plant interactions, crucially applying this knowledge within the criminal justice system.
Her groundbreaking work has elevated forensic soil science from a niche field to a globally accepted and invaluable discipline. Professor Dawson has consulted on more than 150 cases, contributing expert witness reports and evidence in numerous high-profile trials, including the World's End murders and the trial of William MacDowell.
Dame Lorna's expertise has also extended to assisting authors and television producers, and she has trained police forces in crime scene sampling. This damehood acknowledges the profound impact of her scientific innovation and partnership in supporting justice on a national and international scale.
