Soil Analysis Used in Forensic Science
Forensic soil analysis, the investigation of materials in soil or the soil itself, can sometimes assist in the investigation of criminal and legal cases. Specialists who have expertise in soil analysis include geologists, archeologists, biologists and botanists.
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Sample Collection
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Crime scene technicians typically put soil samples in plastic containers and label them with the date, time, investigator's name, site and case number.
Reference Samples
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For the sake of comparison, investigators must also evaluate reference samples from surrounding areas and other places a suspect might have picked up soil.
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Vehicles
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Investigators often examine soil from both the interior and exterior of cars. Soil gathers on the seats and carpets, as well as on the body. Analysis of accumulated soil may involve looking at the order of layers in a sample because that could identify a geographic location.
Clothing and Shoes
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Clothing and shoes sometimes carry soil stained with biological fluids like blood, semen and urine that can yield DNA evidence.
Common Lab Tests
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Analysts in the lab routinely use techniques like microscopy, density testing and heat testing to evaluate the soil for characteristics like mineral content, organic matter and particle size.
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