Soil: Forensic Analysis

摘要: Earth materials such as soils, rocks, minerals, and particles from man-made bricks provide excellent evidence to link criminals crime scenes. Forensic soil scientists are also using advanced automated techniques, which have the ability acquire information smaller samples make forensics an increasingly popular tool in criminal investigations. The aim of forensic analysis is associate soil, rock, or mineral taken item, shoes, clothing, shovel, vehicle with a specific location. Soil powerful, perhaps ideal, pieces contact trace help investigations. Soil investigations usually involve collection one more followed by characterization. Collected categorized (i) questioned whose origin unknown disputed (suspect victim), (ii) control known (crime scene), (iii) alibi that measure distinctiveness samples. characterization often requires following four-stage approach, combines descriptive, analytical, spatial information: Initial for screening involving morphological descriptions. Semi-detailed semi-quantification minerals organic matter sample selection size fractionation (<50 µm). Detailed quantification additional analytical techniques and/or methods preparation, separation, concentration magnetic heavy fractionation. (iv) Integration extrapolation scale next, build coherent model microscopic observations landscape scale, involves soil/geological maps geophysics. Progression examination through each four stages will depend on amount available results early examination. significance relevance established concepts standard terminologies used science geology practical emphasized. Keywords: soil examination; morphology; pedology; mineralogy; chemistry; criminal; microscopy; forensic science; X-ray diffraction