Soils, Minerals, Wood, & Other Vegetative Matter

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Soils, Minerals, Wood, and Other Vegetative Matter.

Location Link suspectTrace

Evidence

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SoilAny material, both natural

and artificial, that lies on or near the Earth's surface

Most of this evidence is only useful as support or lead generating

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Examination of SoilThroughout the examination of soil an observer must:

Look for trace evidenceCompare the physical and chemical properties of each sample to a control sample

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Matching Soil Samples

Two samples are considered to be the

same if and only if they match on each and every level of the

following tests

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Dry Samples & Pulverize

Dirt changes shade and color at different moisture levels

Dried dirt may clot

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Gross Examination

ColorTextureShapesForeign Objects

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UV-Observations Note the shape, size, number, and

identity (if possible) of any material that fluoresces

Compare Samples

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The clothes of this female look

normal.

Any chemicals?

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A UV-Light may also be used to find trace evidence on a body

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Microscopic Observation

ColorTextureShapesForeign Objects

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Place a thin layer of dirt on a slide

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Place only a small amount of sample on the slide at a

time. Be sure the dirt is placed only in the center of the slide so as not to

allow it to fall in the microscope.

WARNING

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Place a second slide on top of the sample

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Naked Eye

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Microscopic x10

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Microscopic x40 (Cotton Fiber)

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Final Comparison Any and all foreign objects found

should be investigated separately If all previous comparisons are

similar between two samples they likely originate from the same area

As final comparison density gradient columns may be utilized

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Naked Eye

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Microscopic x40 (Minerals)

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Naked Eye

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Microscopic x40(Organic Material)

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Density Gradient Tubes

Assemble two identical density columns with varying levels of liquids in them

Drop equal amounts of soil samples (a control and unknown) in the columns

Allow the samples to disperse throughout the columns for comparison

If the two samples are of the same origin, then they will produce nearly identical gradient tubes

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