How can forensics assist in environmental crimes?

Forensics plays a crucial role in investigating environmental crimes, particularly through the analysis of pollutants and contaminants to identify their source. This process often involves advanced scientific techniques, such as chemical analysis, that can pinpoint specific substances within a sample and match them to potential sources, such as industrial facilities or illegal dumping sites. By determining the origin of pollutants, forensic scientists can provide valuable evidence in legal proceedings, helping to hold responsible parties accountable for environmental damage. This aspect of forensic science is fundamental to not only prosecuting environmental crimes but also in understanding the broader implications of these actions on ecosystems and public health.

The other choices touch upon important aspects of environmental regulations and impacts, but they do not specifically highlight the forensic techniques used to trace pollutants, which is the core of how forensics assists in addressing environmental crimes.