Characterisation and Discrimination of Urban Soils: Preliminary Results from the Soil Forensics University Network

Morrisson, A.R.; McColl, Suzzanne M.; Dawson, Lorna; Brewer, Mark J.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-9204-6_6

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Overall, XRF, ICP-MS and ICP-AES identified a clear distinction between sites A-D, similar findings have been found by Morrisson et al 33 through other independent forms of analysis, which highlights the benefit of adopting multiple techniques to provide reliable and robust evidence. Being able to discriminate between geographically similar sites is extremely valuable to forensic investigations as offenders have a tendency to commit criminal acts within relatively discrete areas and often within close proximity to where they are resident and/or go about their daily activities 39 , or indeed have alibi sites close to the location of the crime event.…”

Section: Spatial Assessmentsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…This forensically relevant area was selected as crimes often occur in secluded areas within urban environments, such as parks, due to the lack of natural surveillance 33 . The parkland was located near to public transport and local businesses and therefore also offered a location that could feasibly be frequented during the course of the daily routine of an 31 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The potential for geochemical discrimination of single- and mixed-source soil samples from close proximity urban parkland locations

Cheshire¹,

Morgan²,

Holmes³

2016

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This initial study assessed the feasibility of geochemical analysis to discriminate single-and mixed-source soil/sediment samples from close proximity sites, a key attribute for forensic comparison and crime reconstruction. Key techniques including ICP-MS, ICP-AES and XRF were able to discriminate between the sites used in this study. The findings of this experimental study provide empirical evidence that highlights the difficulties associated with interpreting data from the elemental analysis of soil samples from geographically similar locations, and demonstrates the issues associated with samples of mixed provenance. Statistical analysis of mixed-provenance samples in comparison with the single-source control sites revealed no significant difference between the mixed and single source samples illustrating that, in this particular case, the samples could not be excluded from having a similar source in direct contrast to previously published findings. This study underlines the necessity to understand further the degree of complexity that exists for the analysis and interpretation of both single-and mixed-source forensic soil/sediment samples and confirms the need for multiple independent methods to be used in order to begin to draw meaningful conclusions of forensically relevant provenance.

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Section: Spatial Assessmentsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential for geochemical discrimination of single- and mixed-source soil samples from close proximity urban parkland locations

Cheshire¹,

Morgan²,

Holmes³

2016

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

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show abstract

“…The results were analyzed using canonical discriminant function analysis (CDFA) following previous geoforensic analysis studies , to test whether the PIXE data could discriminate between the quartz grains, which in previous studies had been shown to be of different provenances. ,, Several elements, including Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Rb, were detected in the grains by PIXE. Three functions were identified by the analysis, with the first function explaining 49.2%, the second function 36.2%, and the third function 14.6% of the variance between the samples.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Particle-Induced X-ray Emission and Particle-Induced γ-ray Emission of Quartz Grains for Forensic Trace Sediment Analysis

et al. 2012

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The independent verification in a forensics context of quartz grain morphological typing by scanning electron microscopy was demonstrated using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and particle-induced γ-ray emission (PIGE). Surface texture analysis by electron microscopy and high-sensitivity trace element mapping by PIXE and PIGE are independent analytical techniques for identifying the provenance of quartz in sediment samples in forensic investigations. Trace element profiling of the quartz grain matrix separately from the quartz grain inclusions served to differentiate grains of different provenance and indeed went some way toward discriminating between different quartz grain types identified in a single sample of one known forensic provenance. These results confirm the feasibility of independently verifying the provenance of critical samples from forensic cases.

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“…This work could be used to form the foundation of work on the organic humic content of soil sample. Morrison et al (2) used ATR-FTIR as part of a wider soil examination process to examine the soil organic matter and the mineral composition for the discrimination of soil from urban areas around Scotland. The research to date shows that IR examination can provide information on both the organic and inorganic components of a soil sample.…”

Section: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical Instrument and its Utilization in Soil Forensic: A Review

Neha Yadav,

Lav Kesharwani

2022

Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

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In the present paper, we give an overview on the importance of the analytical instrument used in the field of forensic science for the elemental analysis of soil evidence collected from the scene of occurrence. The forensic scientist must rely upon the elemental composition of major and trace elements for the soil sample comparison and discrimination. Variation in the composition of soil sample allows considerable discrimination through the instrumental technique even there is a little amount of sample. Through this paper, reviews on the techniques which are extensively used in forensic sciences have been reported. Report summaries based on soil analysis application and techniques employed for the elemental composition like X-ray fluorescence (XRF), SEM/EDX, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry, and XRD. ATR-FTIR for mineral identification.

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Characterisation and Discrimination of Urban Soils: Preliminary Results from the Soil Forensics University Network

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

The potential for geochemical discrimination of single- and mixed-source soil samples from close proximity urban parkland locations

The potential for geochemical discrimination of single- and mixed-source soil samples from close proximity urban parkland locations

Evaluation of Particle-Induced X-ray Emission and Particle-Induced γ-ray Emission of Quartz Grains for Forensic Trace Sediment Analysis

Analytical Instrument and its Utilization in Soil Forensic: A Review

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