Characterization of soils from the Algarve region (Portugal): A multidisciplinary approach for forensic applications

Guedes, Alexandra; Ribeiro, Helena; Valentim, Bruno; Rodrigues, A.; Sant'Ovaia, Helena; Abreu, Ilda; Noronha, Fernando

doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2010.10.006

Cited by 31 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…This is a significant finding given the common requirement to exclude an alibi site that is located close to the crime scene. It is also potentially advantageous to forensic investigations as these methods of analysis are rapid and require a minimal amount of sample to be able to provide a reliable analytical result and can be used in combination with other independent analyses such as those discussed by Guedes et al 40 and Macdonald et al 41 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

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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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: Resultsmentioning

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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“…If the type of approach presented here ultimately proves useful in real-world contexts, then reference datasets may be developed for specific areas of interest, and statistical properties of such datasets, such as spatial correlations, should be determined. For example, border areas of neighbouring countries that experience biosecurity issues 34 or criminal problems 35 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Georeferenced soil provenancing with digital signatures

Tighe

Forster

Guppy

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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The provenance or origin of a soil sample is of interest in soil forensics, archaeology, and biosecurity. In all of these fields, highly specialized and often expensive analysis is usually combined with expert interpretation to estimate sample origin. In this proof of concept study we apply rapid and non-destructive spectral analysis to the question of direct soil provenancing. This approach is based on one of the underlying tenets of soil science – that soil pedogenesis is spatially unique, and thus digital spectral signatures of soil can be related directly, rather than via individual soil properties, to a georeferenced location. We examine three different multivariate regression techniques to predict GPS coordinates in two nested datasets. With a minimum of data processing, we show that in most instances Eastings and Northings can be predicted to within 20% of the range of each within the dataset using the spectral signatures produced via portable x-ray fluorescence. We also generate 50 and 95% confidence intervals of prediction and express these as a range of GPS coordinates. This approach has promise for future application in soil and environmental provenancing.

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“…As the amount of sample material is often very limited in forensic investigations, a nondestructive technique which allows for other analyses to be subsequently applied to the same soil sample is very valuable. For a forensic application, the results from the analysis should be compared using an objective method (e.g., ). In addition, the results of the objective comparison should fit the Bayesian approach, which is recommended by the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) guidelines for reporting evaluative forensic evidence.…”

Section: Adapting To Nondestructive Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Comparison of Soil Samples Using Nondestructive Elemental Analysis

Uitdehaag

Wiarda

Donders

et al. 2016

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Soil can play an important role in forensic cases in linking suspects or objects to a crime scene by comparing samples from the crime scene with samples derived from items. This study uses an adapted ED-XRF analysis (sieving instead of grinding to prevent destruction of microfossils) to produce elemental composition data of 20 elements. Different data processing techniques and statistical distances were evaluated using data from 50 samples and the log-LR cost (C ). The best performing combination, Canberra distance, relative data, and square root values, is used to construct a discriminative model. Examples of the spatial resolution of the method in crime scenes are shown for three locations, and sampling strategy is discussed. Twelve test cases were analyzed, and results showed that the method is applicable. The study shows how the combination of an analysis technique, a database, and a discriminative model can be used to compare multiple soil samples quickly.

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Characterization of soils from the Algarve region (Portugal): A multidisciplinary approach for forensic applications

Cited by 31 publications

References 19 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

Georeferenced soil provenancing with digital signatures

Forensic Comparison of Soil Samples Using Nondestructive Elemental Analysis

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