Multimodal spectroscopy with chemometrics for the forensic analysis of the inorganic content of Western Australian sandy soils

Abstract

This study demonstrates a multi-modal analytical sequence suited to the characterisation of sandy soils, which remain an underutilised form of forensic trace evidence. Within the Swan Coastal Plain in Perth, Western Australia, most soils are heavily leached with only small deviations in their mineral compositions. Traditional soil analyses are hence rendered inappropriate for use due to the lack of clay and organic matter. This has led to inorganic methods of analysis predominating, in addition to experimentation with modified techniques. One example is utilisation of the quartz-recovered fine fraction, which is suitable for dry, quartz-dominated sandy soils. In this study, preliminary investigations used the spectroscopic techniques microspectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction, to develop a multi-faceted approach for the forensic analysis of the quartz fine fraction of soils. These data were then combined with principal component analysis to demonstrate how chemometrics can assist with objective characterisation and differentiation of sandy soil samples for forensic purposes. Chemometric analysis has not previously been attempted with data obtained from the quartz fine fraction. This methodology is transferable to other jurisdictions where dry, sandy soils predominate.