10-04-2017, 08:01 PM
Soils and Soil Analysis
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What Is Soil?
Mixture of organic and inorganic material
May range from 100% inorganic (sand) to nearly 100% organic (peat)
Inorganic part is minerals
Organic part is decayed plant and animal material and is sometimes called humas
Forensic Significance of Soil
Soil is class evidence - cannot be individualized to a particular location
There is no classification system for soils
Soils can be easily transported
Soils within a few meters horizontally or vertically differ
Forensic Analysis of Soils
Bulk analysis
Density gradient
Particle size distribution (sieving)
Inorganic components
Color (dissolve in water)
Petrography - mineral analysis; Requires a good deal of skill and practice