About ECF
Advancing environmental clarity through science, integrity, and proven expertise.
Trusted Experts in Contaminant Source Identification
Environmental Chemistry & Forensics (ECF) is a nationally operating environmental consulting firm specializing in advanced chemical forensic services and contaminant source identification.
Our team
The Team That Makes Clarity Possible
Lead forensic consultant
Stephen
Emsbo-Mattingly
Senior Consultant
Experienced judgment connects analytical chemistry, site history, and practical context—turning complex evidence into clear, defensible direction.
- Forensic Microscopy
- Heavy Metals
- Radioisotopes
- Fire Investigations
- Sediment Investigations
- Superfund Projects
- PAH Source Identification Projects
- Petroleum Projects
- PCB and PCDD/PCDF Projects
- Solvents and Dry Cleaners
- Vapor Intrusion Source Identification Projects
- Process Chemistry Research
- Emerging Contaminants
- Laboratory Quality Control/Quality Assurance
- Analytical Chemistry
Connected expertise
Network of Industry Experts
Additional disciplines are brought in when they materially strengthen the conclusion.
Fit-for-purpose analysis
Specialized Forensic Laboratories
Analytical capabilities are selected around the technical question—not simply the available test.
An end-to-end approach
Every piece of the pipeline, addressed with scientific rigor.
We connect historical context, field evidence, and laboratory science so each conclusion is clear, useful, and defensible.
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01
Review existing data
We begin with site data, prior reports, and historical testing to establish what is already known.
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02
Review site operations
Current and historical operations reveal possible contaminant sources and exposure pathways.
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03
Collect samples
Defensible chain-of-custody protocols protect the integrity of every sample we collect.
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04
Laboratory analysis
Top-tier forensic laboratories apply advanced chemical fingerprinting methods.
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05
Interpret results
We turn the evidence into clear findings for litigation, compliance, and active site control.
Specialized Approach
What we bring to the table:
Industries We Serve
ECF partners with clients across diverse technical and regulatory environments, providing clarity where uncertainty can be costly. From early-stage site assessment through expert witness testimony, our services are built to withstand scrutiny at every level. We support:
Scientifically Proven Solutions for High-Stakes Sites
We provide scientifically defensible analyses to support environmental investigations, regulatory decision-making, risk assessments, and litigation. Our work helps clients understand complex contamination scenarios, trace the origins of industrial releases, and make confident, informed decisions backed by rigorous scientific evidence.
Committed to Scientific Truth
Our mission is to deliver precise, defensible, and innovative chemical forensic solutions that illuminate the true origins of environmental contamination and support responsible decision-making. We are committed to advancing environmental science, strengthening risk models, and enabling clients to resolve complex challenges with clarity, credibility, and confidence.
Our Forensic Philosophy
At ECF, we believe that every site in question tells a story-one that must be uncovered with accuracy, discipline, and scientific integrity. Our approach combines:
Advanced chemical fingerprinting and analytical methods
Deep expertise in contaminant behavior across all environmental media
Objective, defensible interpretation of complex datasets
Integration of field, laboratory, and modeling insights
From the knowledge center
Keep up with what we’re discovering.
Explore technical perspectives, forensic methods, and practical insight from ECF scientists.
Read the BlogDigging Deeper for Defensible Answers
We look beyond surface-level results to decipher mixed plumes, differentiate industrial inputs, and quantify background conditions with transparency and precision. Every conclusion we deliver is grounded in evidence, proven methodology, and decades of specialized casework.