Tallinn University of Technology
TalTech is the sole technological university in Estonia. It is also the most international university in Estonia. TalTech is a research-based university offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in engineering, natural sciences, IT, business and maritime studies.
Department of Geology’s research focuses on key areas such as bedrock geology, paleoenvironments, palaeoclimate, mineral resources, mining engineering, marine geology, hydrogeology and the circular economy. We offer comprehensive study programs (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in Earth systems and georesources) and are home to several specialised research labs, as well as Estonia’s largest geocollections. Our commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in these fields makes us a central resource for both academic and industry collaboration.
This Doctoral project for the European Training Network “Natural Traces” (Horizon Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101120165, see https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101120165) will be carried out in the Division of Quaternary Geology, the research group that at present comprises of nine researchers, and eight PhD students, who work in close collaboration as a targeted international team. The main research aim of the Quaternary group is a reconstruction of past ecosystems, vegetation history, climate and environmental change, both natural and manmade, at high temporal resolution during the last 15,000 years through multidisciplinary and multiproxy studies of natural archives such as lake, bog and marine sediments. The research group has expertise in the application of diatoms in forensics.
Doctoral candidate: Merle Luca Marie Dorsch
Merle Dorsch’s academic journey began with her master’s degree in marine biology, where she explored the potential for methane production by microphytobenthos, emphasizing diatoms. Her current PhD project is an innovative venture into the application of diatom analyses within forensic science.
Most current forensic investigations involving non-human biological evidence predominantly concentrate on terrestrial environments. Diatoms are microscopic algae widely distributed across aquatic and wet-terrestrial environments, with each taxon exhibiting specific environmental preferences. This characteristic distribution means that different water bodies possess unique diatom compositions. One of the remarkable features of diatoms is their silicified cell walls, which provide exceptional resistance to decay. As a result, diatoms can persist as trace evidence, remaining detectable on surfaces such as footwear for weeks after initial contact. While diatoms are already utilized in diagnosing deaths by drowning, given their presence in water, their forensic potential is vastly underexplored. The project’s research aims to expand the scope of diatom analysis beyond traditional crime scenes, addressing the growing need for robust trace evidence methods in forensic investigations.
By developing diatom-based forensic tools, the project seeks to enhance the reconstruction of environmental characteristics relevant to crime scene analysis. Her work will not only facilitate the investigation of aquatic cases but also pave the way for detecting diatom traces on clothing and other textiles in non-aquatic contexts. This multifaceted approach highlights a significant advancement in forensic methodology, offering new avenues for supporting crime scene reconstructions and improving the accuracy of environmental assessments in both aquatic and terrestrial settings.
Title of PhD work:
Using freshwater and marine diatoms as trace evidence and proof of drowning