Professor Emeritus, Geological Sciences
B. S. Geology, Salem State College
M. S. Geology, University of Idaho
Ph.D. Geology, University of Idaho
My interest in the still-developing field of Forensic Geology resulted from a petrological study of sand found at a crime scene. I am continuing this line of research by applying mineralogical and petrological methods and tools to microscopic airborne particles. Using my background in sedimentary geochemistry and petrography, I've had a student researcher collect data about 17th century bricks as part of a larger study on bricks and mortar from Maine and New Hampshire. This past semester I collected XRF data from a landfill in Merrimac MA and from a colonial cemetery. The cemetery may be the site of an unmarked mass burial. I'll be looking for Senior Researchers this upcoming Fall semester for these and other projects.
I also design, practice and advocate the use of formative assessment as a valuable learning tool in my Honors Physical Geology, Mineralogy, and Forensic Geology classes. In my role as Co-Chair of the University Wide Assessment Committee I work to help create an culture of assessment at SSU.
Coursework:
Mineralogy
Forensic Geology
Honors Physical Geology
Other Responsibilities:
Co-Chair University Wide Assessment Committee
Departmental Assessment Coordinator
Chair Departmental Curriculum Committee
Estey, N. and Sablock, J. M., 2011 Characterization of Bricks from the Bickford Garrison Archaelogical Site in Durham, NH
Santos, A. and Sablock, J. M. 2009 A Petrologic Study of the Bridger Canon Section of the Swift Formation, Bozeman, Montana
Santos, A.R., Sablock, J.M., 2010 Observations on DiageneticAlteration in a Section of Late Jurassic Sandstone, Sigma Xi Research Symposium, SSC
Vander Kaaden, K., Sablock, J., 2010 A Petrographic Study of Union RockCorrelating it to the Peabody Granite and Dedham Granodiorite: NewEngland Geological Society of America RegionalMeeting Baltimore, MD
Vander Kaaden, K., Sablock, J. 2010 A Comparison of Three Granites From Essex County, Massachusetts: Sigma Xi ResearchSymposium, SSC
Lozzi, V. and Sablock, J.M. 2009, Preliminary Results of a Forensic Analysis of Dust from Three Locations, Geological Society of America Regional Meeting, Portland, Maine
Sablock, J.M., 2006 Using Earth Materials To Establish Probable Cause – A Final Project For A Forensic Geology Class: National Meeting of the Geological Society of AmericaMeeting, Philadelphia, Penn.
Sablock, J.M. Using JiTT to Introduce a Challenging Topic in an Introductory Geology Class, Pearls and Perils Conference, Salem State College
Sablock, J.M., Sands of Crime – An Application of Petrographic Methods To Forensic Trace Evidence:National Meeting of the Geological Society of AmericaMeeting, Salt Lake City, Utah
2009 Metacognition as a Tool for Student Success, FIN Conference Salem State College
2007 Design a Curriculum Map to Ensure Outcomes, FIN Conference Salem State College
2006, Just in Time Teaching (JiTT) a Tool for Student Success and Assessment, Pearls and Perils Conference, Salem State College