Chapter 13 Soil Examination
Student Learning Objectives
Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigations, 2nd ed., Bertino & Bertino, 2015
At the conclusion of this chapter, the student should be able to:
Soil
_____ 1. Explain how soil is formed from minerals, water, gases, and the remains of
organisms.
_____ 2. Describe the effect of environmental factors that influence the formation of soil:
a. temperature
b. rain
c. wind
d. wave action
e. the minerals found in the environment
f. the plants and animals found in the environment
_____3. Describe different chemical and physical properties of soil.
_____ 4. Discuss differences in soil pH and its effect on organisms.
_____5. Distinguish among soil textures: sand, silt and clay.
Include in your answer:
a. relative particle size of the soil
b. ability to retain water
c. typical locations of this soil type
_____6. Analyze soil and determine if it is composed mostly of sand, silt or clay.
_____7. Explain how the type of soil and its ability to retain or release water affects
decomposition of bodies.
_____8. Describe the forensic significance of determining if a soil is sand, silt, or clay.
_____9. Compare and contrast humus and top soil in terms of its location and
composition.
_____10. Discuss a soil profile:
a. What is it?
b. How is it labeled?
c. What are some of the distinguishing characteristics of each layer?
d. Describe the forensic significance of identifying a particular soil profile.
e. How is a soil profile examined in order to view the different layers?
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Forensic Science Fundamentals & Investigations, Bertino & Bertino
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_____11. Prepare a chart of the four types of sand: continental, volcanic, skeletal and
precipitate. Include in your chart:
a. How the sand was formed
b. General locations where the sand could be found
c. distinguishing characteristics of each type of sand
_____12. With evidence from the chapter, support the argument that soils from different
areas are unique and as such, provide forensic evidence that can link a suspect
or object to a crime scene.
_____ 13. Describe an example of how soil identification is used to link a suspect to a
crime scene.
Sand (type of soil)
_____14. Describe variation in sand based on
a. grain size
b. shape
c. mineral content
d. color
_____ 15. Describe the identifying features of the minerals commonly found in sand:
a. quartz
b. feldspar
c. mica
d. magnetite
e. granite
_____ 16. Compare the rounding of sand grains carried by water to those carried by
wind.
_____ 17.Compare and contrast young sand, immature sand, and old sand regarding
their:
a. amount of clay
b. location
c. roundedness or angularity of the grain
d. size of sand particles
_____ 18. Describe the distinguishing features of each of the four different sources of
sand:
a. continental sand
b. oceanic sand
c. skeletal sand
d. precipitate sand
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Forensic Science Fundamentals & Investigations, Bertino & Bertino
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_____ 19. Explain how oolites are formed resulting in their rounded shape.
Collection and Analysis of Soil
_____20. Describe the proper method for collecting soil. Include in your answer:
a. When soil should be collected
b. How much soil should be collected
c. Where soil should be collected
d. How to photograph and document the evidence
____ 21. Soil removed from burial sites is often sifted.
a. What is the purpose of sifting the soil?
b. How can artifacts found in a gravesite help in identification of the body?
_____22. Describe how to analyze soil using a sedimentation column.
_____23. Describe how to perform a soil or sand analysis including a microscopic and
macroscopic exam as well as chemical testing to identify a type of sand or
soil.
_____ 24. Describe the role of technology in soil identification. Include in your answer:
a. Compound microscope
b. X-ray Diffraction
_____ 25. Explain why thermal imaging, as used in locating the Boston marathon
bomber, is not used to locate older gravesites.
Soils and Forensics
_____26. Using facts from the chapter, support the claim that soil provides an important
form of because it's easily transported, often overlooked, and can link a person
or object to a crime scene.
_____ 27. Provide examples of how analyzing soil evidence found on a suspect, victim,
or object can help identify a particular environment.
_____ 28. Describe the effect on body decomposition of each of the environments listed
below:
a. sandy soils
b. moist soils
c. acidic environments such as bogs
_____29. Discuss cadaver decomposition islands.
a. Define cadaver decomposition island.
b. Would it be found around new burial sites or older burial sites?
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c. What is the reason for the lack of plant growth?
______30. Explain how older burial sites can be located based on changes in the soil and
resulting plant life. Include in your answer
a. Why an older burial site may exhibit a healthier plant growth
b. What accounts for the improved plant growth at an older
burial site?
_______31. Describe how cadaver dogs are able to locate dead bodies buried in shallow
graves. What attracts the dog to a potential grave?
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Forensic Science Fundamentals & Investigations, Bertino & Bertino
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