A critique of the present use of some geochemical techniques in geoforensic analysis

Bull, P.A.; Morgan, Ruth M.; Freudiger-Bonzon, Jeanne

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.09.003

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…It is, of course, recommended that forensic evidence is tested with techniques that analyse independent characteristics of the sample in order to provide significance to the conclusions drawn 5,16,17 . To complement this study into the discriminatory value of the organic components of the soil, analysis of the inorganic fraction of the samples was also undertaken.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Performance Liquid Chromatography as a valuable tool for geoforensic soil analysis

McCulloch¹,

Morgan²,

Bull

2016

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

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A key issue for geoforensic analysis is the ability to discriminate between geographical locations of close proximity, often with similar underlying geology. This paper addresses the lack of empirical research into the non-mineral components of sediment samples and presents the development of a method of sediment sample characterisation by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) utilising the organic components of the sample. A sample preparation method and set of instrument parameters were developed such that the cost of the analysis could be reduced, efficiency increased and the sample amount required for analysis reduced fourfold. The re-developed method allows samples collected from different locations within the same forensically relevant site to be accurately discriminated in this study by both visual examination of the chromatography and the use of multivariate statistics. The results of the HPLC analysis were compared with those obtained by quartz grain surface texture analysis, and HPLC was found to offer better discrimination between the samples in this instance. The results of this study suggest that HPLC has the potential to offer an accurate and practical method of comparing soil samples based on characteristics that are independent of, and therefore complementary to, traditional mineralogical-based geoforensic analyses.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Performance Liquid Chromatography as a valuable tool for geoforensic soil analysis

McCulloch¹,

Morgan²,

Bull

2016

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Bull et al [1] incorrectly give the impression that the work reported in [2] and [3] was undertaken to demonstrate that ICP and the other analytical techniques used are able to differentiate between our two experimental sites which they consider are inappropriate because they are located on geologically dissimilar parent materials. The prime purpose of the work reported in these two papers was in fact not to demonstrate the discriminatory capability of the techniques used but to quantify (a) the relative magnitudes of different types of ICP precision and (b) the degree of spatial variability in selected soil properties at the sub-metre scale [3].…”

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confidence: 86%

“…Bull et al [1] make several general philosophical comments about protocols in geo-forensic analysis and a number of more specific points relating to four of our recent papers [2][3][4][5]. In our opinion they have not properly understood those papers, and the philosophical arguments they present are poorly thought out, unsupported by evidence, and largely divorced from the scientific content of our papers.…”

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confidence: 87%

“…Bull et al [1] contend that the use of inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) to characterise soils and sediments suffers a significant problem ''due to the requirement of homogenization of samples prior to analysis''. They state that soil/sediment samples obtained from clothing or vehicles are ''likely to be composed of soil/sediment derived from a number of different sources'', and ''it can therefore be highly problematic to employ any technique that requires homogenization.... prior to analysis''.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The use of geochemical techniques in geo-forensic analysis: A reply

Pye¹,

Blott²

2008

Forensic Science International

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“…Laboratory-based techniques often use trace evidence from a discovered burial to link a suspect to the crime scene [1] although there have been reliability issues [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary soilwater conductivity analysis to date clandestine burials of homicide victims

Pringle

Cassella

Jervis

2010

Forensic Science International

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This study reports on a new geoscientific method to estimate the post-burial interval (PBI) and potential post-mortem interval (PMI) date of homicide victims in clandestine graves by measuring decomposition fluid conductivities. Soil water analysis from a simulated clandestine grave (which contained a domestic pig carcass) in a semi-rural environment had significantly elevated conductivity measurements when compared to background values. A temporal rapid increase of the conductivity of burial fluids was observed until one year post burial, after this values slowly increased until two years (end of the study period). Conversion of x-axis from post-burial days to 'accumulated degree days' (ADD) resulted in an improved fit for multiple linear regression analyses. ADD correction allowed comparison with two other conductivity grave studies and demonstrated it was possible to date a discovered grave and hence the victim if past local temperatures could be obtained and burial depth measured. Contemporary soil moisture sampling was also undertaken to quantify this potential variable. Research also has implications to time illegal animal burials. Further research is required to extend the monitoring period, to use human cadavers and investigate other soil types and depositional environments. NOTICE: this is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Forensic Science International. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Forensic Science International, v. 198, May 2010, doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010 Determining PMI of recently deceased individuals have been extensively researched using a variety of methods and revisions to said methods. However, dating PMI over a longer time period or importantly the Post-Burial Interval (PBI) emplacement within a burial site is more uncertain and lacking a simple technique.This manuscript is the first to document a new and simple technique to date PMI or estimate how long a body may have been buried for using the conductivity of the decomposition fluids. Our previous FSI paper ( Jervis et al. 2009) has suggested that these fluids are the primary reason why electrical resistivity surveys work to detect the positions of clandestine burials of homicide victims. Our new suggested PBI/PMI technique, based on a two year monitoring study, is to simply measure the conductivity of decomposing fluids as we have found this has a two-step, linear relationship. Results are reinforced by comparison to another study as well as to a simulated "discovered" burial, where a ~16% error was found between the conductivity estimated date compared to the true burial date. We have also converted post-burial days into accumulated degree days (ADD) which improved the date mis-match error (to ~12%) and will...

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A critique of the present use of some geochemical techniques in geoforensic analysis

Cited by 17 publications

References 20 publications

High Performance Liquid Chromatography as a valuable tool for geoforensic soil analysis

High Performance Liquid Chromatography as a valuable tool for geoforensic soil analysis

The use of geochemical techniques in geo-forensic analysis: A reply

Preliminary soilwater conductivity analysis to date clandestine burials of homicide victims

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