ANALYSIS OF SOIL
– there are several methods of petrography analysis that are being use
inthe laboratories to establish the identify of two or more samples of soil.
There is no procedurethat is specially recommended. It all depends on
the availability of the the apparatus. The DENSITY GRADIENT
APPARATUS is a simple
apparatus utilizing simple procedure indetermining the identity or non-
identity of soil samples based on the density distribution. The Procedure
is rapid,
requiring a few hours of completion. It is sensitive to small changes
incompo sition.
OTHER METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR SOIL
X-ray diffraction, spectrographic analysis and thermal analysis are
methods
extensively used incommercial and private laboratories as general
procedure.
APPLICATION OF SOIL ANALYSIS TO SCIENTIFIC CRIME
DETECTION
The value of soil as evidence depends wholly upon the fact that soils
differ in variouscharacteristics over the surface of the earth. This
difference makes it
possible to establish theidentity or non-identity of two soil samples.
DUST AND DIRTDUST AND DIRT
– has been described as “matter in the wrong place” . The study of
such piece of evidence may often provide the investigator with clues as
to the occupation or previouswhereabouts of a person under
investigation.
DUST
– matter which is dry and in finely divided
form MUD
– dust mixed with water
CRIME (heavy dirt )
– when dust is mixed with the sweat and grease of the human body
this isformed.
COMPOSITION OF DUST
Whatever is the origin of dust and wherever it is found it always contain
substances of plant and animal origin and substances of mineral origin.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE DUST
For purpose of criminal investigation, dust may well be classified from
their
source.
> Dust Deposited from the Air −− Extremely fine dust particles present
in the air everywhere. More in thickly populated and industrial region.
Settle very slowly
andultimately deposited on any exposed surface. Its value in crime
detec
tion issignificant.
> Road and Footpath Dust −− produced by the wear and tear of the
road surface bevehicular and pedestrian traffic together with particles
of soil
carried by the wind or rain from adjoining regions.
> Industrial Dust −− Industries ;like cement, button,
powdered gypsum and
plaster of Paris factories, flour milling, paint pigment, involves
industrial p rocesses likegrinding, milling or beating for the purpose of
producing
finely powdered ultimate products which in the process impart a
pronounced local character to the dust on theneighboring roads and
buildings.
> Occupation Dust −− Some of the fi8nely powdered material maybe
found on theclotting and foot wears of employees engaged in such
industries. Aside from this for example, coal miner will have coal dust
on his clothes, bricklayer will yield brick duct, sand and lime on his
clothes.From the forensic chemical point of view, the identification of
occupational dust is of greatimportance. In criminal investigation, the
identification of the person through the articles of clotting left in the
scene of crime or in a vehicle may place him in an identifiable class
and thus to distinguish from the great majority of other persons.
Such observation does not serve todistinguish the wearer of the
cloth from all other persons.
COLLECTION AND SUBMISSION OF DUST AND DIRT SPECIMEN
1. Dust and dirt present in clotting or objects that can be readily
transported should beleft in site. The whole article is packed in a clean
box with proper protection andhipped to the laboratory.
2. If the object is immovable or too big to submit as a specimen like
sofa, piano, dresses,the specimen maybe removed by mechanical
means if
present in large quantity.
3. Dust on clotting maybe removed by the used of vacuum cleaner
with paper bags usedin the dust sack to collect the dirt.
ANALYSIS OF DUST AND DIRT
If the sample is very small, microchemical test or spectrographic
analysis maybe employed. If the amount of specimen is sufficient the
following is employed.
1.Examine the sample under the ultraviolet light
2.Treat a small quantity with a drop of water on a spot plate.
a. observe of aqueous drop with hand lens
b. Note the proportion of the solid matters that remains in suspension
an d. proportion that settles rapidly.
c. Reaction with litmus paper (aqueous drop)
7. Treat a small quantity with a drop of 0.1 NHCl.
a. Note evolution of gas
b. Note formation of precipitate
c. Note changes in color
d. Note materials dissolved by acid
8. Treat a small quantity with ethanol.
a.Note color of alcohol drop.
b.Note difference between color of an aqueous solution in
procedure 2 and thatin alcohol solution.
c.Note other changes
