Forensic Agrology Investigations: Why Every Investigation Starts with Proper Documentation By George A. Lewko, PAg
Certificate in Forensic Agrology
When an agricultural incident occurs—whether it's crop damage, spray drift, nutrient deficiency, flooding, fire damage, livestock impacts, or environmental contamination—the quality of the investigation often determines the quality of the outcome.
Evidence disappears quickly. Crops continue to grow. Weather changes. Equipment moves. Memories fade.
A professional Forensic Agrology Investigation begins with one simple principle:
Document everything.
Good documentation creates reliable evidence that can withstand scientific review, insurance investigations, mediation, arbitration, or even the courtroom.

What Is Forensic Agrology?
Forensic Agrology is the science of applying agricultural knowledge and investigative techniques to collect independent, objective evidence for use in:

• Insurance claims
• Legal disputes
• Crop damage investigations
• Environmental assessments
• Mediation
• Expert witness testimony

Unlike an advocate for one side, a Forensic Agrologist follows the evidence wherever it leads. The objective is to determine the facts using accepted scientific methods and professional standards.
As agricultural technology, production practices, and regulations continue to evolve, forensic investigations must also use the latest techniques for documenting and preserving evidence.

Every Investigation Begins With Good Records
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long before documenting an incident.
As soon as damage is discovered:

• Record dates and times.
• Write down conversations.
• Keep detailed notes.
• Take photographs from multiple angles.
• Collect invoices, receipts, and field records.
• Preserve samples where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality.

It is always easier to ignore information later than it is to recreate evidence that was never collected.

Know When to Bring in Professionals
Many agricultural claims involve multiple areas of expertise.
Depending on the situation, you may require:

• Professional Agrologists
• Surveyors
• Engineers
• Environmental specialists
• Accredited laboratories
• Legal counsel

Each professional contributes evidence within their area of expertise, resulting in stronger, more defensible conclusions.

Do You Have Crop Damage?
A Forensic Agrologist can independently investigate:

• Spray drift
• Herbicide injury
• Fertilizer damage
• Fire damage
• Drought impacts
• Flooding
• Livestock damage
• Environmental contamination
• Soil issues
• Crop establishment problems
• Yield loss investigations

The investigation may include:

• Field observations
• GPS-referenced photography
• Drone imagery
• Soil sampling
• Plant tissue sampling
• Laboratory testing
• Weather information
• Satellite imagery
• Historical field records
• Damage assessments

Samples are collected using accepted procedures and submitted confidentially to accredited laboratories for independent analysis.

What Does a Forensic Agrology Report Include?
Every investigation is different, but a comprehensive report typically contains:

• Background information
• Description of the incident
• Field history
• Site observations
• Photographic documentation
• Maps and GPS locations
• Laboratory results
• Supporting scientific literature
• Damage assessment
• Professional opinions
• Conclusions
• Recommendations

When appropriate, the report may also assist with:

• Mediation
• Settlement discussions
• Insurance claims
• Arbitration
• Court proceedings

Why Proper Documentation Matters
Agricultural investigations often involve events that cannot be recreated.
A crop may recover.
A field may be harvested.
Equipment may be repaired.
Weather may erase visible evidence.
Good investigators know that today's observations become tomorrow's evidence.
Careful documentation protects everyone involved and allows decisions to be based on facts rather than assumptions.

Final Thoughts
Forensic Agrology is built on four key principles:

• Independent
• Objective
• Scientific
• Professional

Whether you're documenting crop damage, assessing environmental impacts, or preparing for legal proceedings, a systematic investigation provides the strongest foundation for determining what happened—and why.
The purpose of this eBook is to help you begin collecting the right information from day one. Better documentation leads to better investigations, stronger evidence, and more defensible conclusions.

George A. Lewko, PAg
Certificate in Forensic Agrology
Forensic Agrology
🌐 www.forensicagrology.com
📧 glewkopag@gmail.com
📞 306-961-0001
📮 Box 1012, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan S6V 5S6
Remember: The best time to collect evidence is immediately. The second-best time is before it's gone.