This preliminary investigation has shown that a soil microbial community DNA profile can be obtained from the small sample of soil recovered from the sole of a shoe, and from soil stains on clothing. We have also shown that these profiles are representative of the site of collection and therefore could potentially be used as associative evidence to prove a link between suspects and crime scenes. Soil community profiles were obtained using the T-RFLP fingerprinting method that uses fluorescent primer technology and semi-automated analysis techniques similar to those used in human DNA profiling in forensic laboratories.

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Aims:  This study investigated the survival and transport of sewage sludge‐borne pathogenic organisms in soils. Methods and Results:  Undisturbed soil cores were treated with Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium‐lux (STM‐lux) and human adenovirus (HAdV)‐spiked sewage sludge. Following an artificial rainfall event, these pathogens were analysed in the leachate and soil sampled from different depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm) after 24 h, 1 and 2 months. Significantly more STM‐lux and HAdV leached through the soil cores when sewage sludge was present. Significantly more STM‐lux were found at all soil depths, at all time periods in the sewage sludge treatments, compared to the controls. The rate of decline of STM‐lux in the controls was more rapid than in the sewage sludge treatments. Survival and transport of HAdV were minimal. Conclusions:  The presence of sewage sludge can significantly influence the transport and survival of bacterial pathogens in soils, probably because of the presence of organic matter. Environmental contamination by virus is unlikely because of strong soil adsorption. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study suggests that groundwater contamination from vertical movement of pathogens is a potential risk and that it highlights the importance of the treatment requirements for biosolids prior to their application to land.

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