School of Geography and the Environment

Dr Peter Bull is an Associate Professor in Physical Geography, Fellow and Tutor at Hertford College. He was originally trained as a karst sedimentologist and has special interest in China. For over forty years he has been studying sediments using a scanning electron microscope as a tool for reconstructing ancient environments (particularly the Quaternary). Dr Bull is presently concerned with forensic sedimentology relating to murders, rapes, smuggling, arson, etc.

Dr Bull's research focuses on the development of the philosophy, nature and practice of forensic geoscience by means of both experimental and theoretical work together with real life forensic casework. He is working with researchers at UCL on the theory and practice of forensic geoscience.

Undergraduate teaching

Dr Bull teaches the Final Honour School Special Subject course 'Forensic Geography'. Dr Bull also offers scanning electron microscopy laboratory classes as part of the Final Honour School.

Postgraduate teaching

Dr Bull teaches postgraduate (master and doctoral) scanning electron microscopy laboratory classes.

• Morgan, R.M., Scott, K.R., Ainley, J. and Bull, P.A. (2019) Journey history reconstruction from the soils and sediments on footwear: An empirical approach. Science and Justice, 59(3): 306-316.
• Morgan, R.M., Allen, E., King, T., Bull, P.A. (2014) The spatial and temporal distribution of pollen in a room: forensic implications. Science and Justice, 54(1): 49-56.
• Morgan, R.M., Flynn, J., Sena, V. and Bull, P.A. (2014) Experimental forensic studies of the preservation of pollen in vehicle fires. Science and Justice, 54(2): 141-145.
• Bull, P.A. and Morgan, R.M. (2013) The Scanning Electron Microscope in Geomorphology. 14.21 in, Schroder, J.F. (ed.) Treatise on Geomorphology (Volume 14). Elsevier Inc. pp. 257-261. ISBN: 978-0-08-088522-3.
• Morgan, R.M., Davies, G., Balestri, F. and Bull, P.A. (2013) The recovery of pollen evidence from documents and its forensic implications. Science and Justice, 53(4): 375-384.
• Bailey, M.J., Morgan, R., Comini, P., Calusi, S. and Bull, P.A. (2012) An evaluation of Particle Induced X-Ray emission and Particle Induced Gamma Ray emission of quartz grains for forensic trace sediment analysis. Analytical Chemistry, 84(5): 2260-2267.
• Konopinski, D.I., Hudziak, S., Morgan, R.M., Bull, P.A. and Kenyon, A.J. (2012) Investigation of quartz grain surface textures by atomic force microscopy for forensic analysis. Forensic Science International, 223(1-3): 245-255.
• Marshall, J.R., Bull, P.A. and Morgan, R.M. (2012) Energy regimes for aeolian sand grain surface textures. Sedimentary Geology, 253-254: 17-24.
• Newell, A.J., Morgan, R., Bull, P.A., Griffin, L.D. and Graham, G. (2012) Automated texture recognition of quartz sand grains for forensic analysis for forensic applications. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57(5): 1285-1289.
• French, J.C., Morgan, R.M., Baxendell, P. and Bull, P.A. (2011) Multiple transfers of particulates and their dissemination within contact networks. Science and Justice, 52(1): 33-41.
• Bull, P.A. (2010) The sedimentary sequence Pontnewydd Cave: a scanning electron microscope study of the sediments from the main cave sequence and new entrance. Chapter 4 in, Aldhouse-Green, S. (ed.) Pontnewydd Cave. University of Wales Press.
• Morgan, R.M., French, J., O'Donnell, L. and Bull, P.A. (2010) The reincorporation and redistribution of trace geoforensic particulates on clothing: an introductory study. Science and Justice, 50(4): 195-199.
• Morgan, R.M., Robertson, J., Lennard, C., Hubbard, K. and Bull, P.A. (2010) Quartz grain surface texture analysis of sediments and soils from Canberra, Australia; a forensic reconstruction tool. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 42(3): 169-179.
• Newell, A.J., Griffin, L.D., Morgan, R.M. and Bull, P.A. (2010) Texture-based estimation of physical characteristics of sand grains. International Conference on Digital Image Computing: Techniques and Applications.. 504-509.
• Morgan, R.M., Cohen, J., McGookin, I., Murly-Gotto, J., O'Connor, R., Muress, S., Freudiger-Bonzon, J. and Bull, P.A. (2009) The relevance of the evolution of experimental studies for the interpretation and evaluation of some trace physical evidence. Science and Justice, 49(4): 277-285.
• Morgan, R.M., Freudiger-Bonzon, J., Nichols, K.H., Jellis, T., Dunkerley, S., Zelazowski, P. and Bull, P.A. (2009) The forensic analysis of sediments recovered from footwear. In, Ritz, K., Dawson, L. and Miller, D. (eds.) Criminal and Environmental Soil Forensics. Springer, London. pp. 253-269.
• Bull, P.A., Morgan, R.M. and Freudiger-Bonzon, J. (2008) A critique of the present use of some geochemical techniques in geoforensic analysis. Forensic Science International, 178(2-3): 35-40.
• Morgan, R.M., Allen, E., Lightowler, Z.L., Freudiger-Bonzon, J. and Bull, P.A. (2008) A forensic geoscience framework and practice. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 2: 185-195.
• Bull, P.A. with Morgan, R.M. (2007) Forensic Geoscience and Crime detection. Identification, interpretation and presentation in forensic geoscience. Minerva Medicolegal, 127(2): 73-89.
• Bull, P.A. with Morgan, R.M. (2007) Sediment Fingerprints: A forensic technique using quartz sand grains. A Response. Science and Justice, 47(3): 141-144.
• Morgan, R.M. and Bull, P.A. (2007) The philosophy, nature and practice of forensic sediment analysis. Progress in Physical Geography, 31(1): 43-58.
• Morgan, R.M. and Bull, P.A. (2007) The use of grain size distribution analysis of sediments and soils in forensic enquiry. Progress in Physical Geography, 47(3): 125-135.
• Bull, P.A., Parker, A. and Morgan, R.M. (2006) The forensic analysis of soils and sediment taken from the cast of a footprint. Forensic Science International, 162(1-3): 6-12.
• Bull, P.A., Parker, A. and Morgan, R.M. (2006) The International Forensic Summit: Vision and mission. Forensic Science International, 162(1-3): 2-5.
• Morgan, R.M., Wiltshire, P., Parker, A.G. and Bull, P. (2006) The role of forensic geoscience in wildlife crime detection. Forensic Science International, 162(1-3): 152-162.
• Bull, P., Morgan, R.M., Dunkerley, S. and Wilson, H.E. (2005) SEM-EDS analysis and discrimination of forensic soil: A comment. Forensic Science International, 155(2-3): 222-224.