Elemental fingerprinting of soils using ICP-MS and multivariate statistics: A study for and by forensic chemistry majors

Reidy, Lorlyn; Bu, Kaixuan; Godfrey, Murrell; Cizdziel, James V.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.08.019

Cited by 40 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…soils, minerals) have site-specific composition due to differences in parent source material, age and weathering of deposits and other factors [11,16]. Other work that demonstrates the extended use of multivariate statistics and elemental fingerprinting include fingerprinting building material from Roman fortresses [17], investigating paleo-environmental evolution and human activities using the trace element distribution in a peat bog [18], and application of the technique to soil in forensic-related investigations [19]. For gypsum, the trace element distribution is characteristic of its source.…”

Section: Basis Of Elemental Fingerprinting For Provenance Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Reidy

Williams

Bussan

et al. 2014

International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

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Outgassing of volatile sulphur compounds from gypsum drywall from some sources has resulted in odours, corrosion of wiring and metals and health problems for homeowners. Infrared spectroscopy has been the primary analytical tool to identify 'problematic' drywall. In this paper, we demonstrate that elemental fingerprinting using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and multivariate statistics is an effective alternative. The approach also showed potential in determining the geographic source of gypsum. Nineteen elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn) were measured in 20 samples of drywall, half of which were classified as positive for contamination by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Gypsum from three different mines and a flue gas desulphurisation plant were also analysed. Principal component analysis and multivariate analysis of variance of the elemental data showed significant differences between the problematic and non-problematic drywall and between sources of gypsum. Strontium averaged 1800 ± 500 µg/g in problematic drywall compared to 400 ± 100 µg/g in non-problematic drywall (p < 0.0001).

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Section: Basis Of Elemental Fingerprinting For Provenance Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Reidy

Williams

Bussan

et al. 2014

International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

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“…Within forensic soil science, techniques for the analysis of the inorganic content within samples have been widely established across many disciplines (1,2,4,6,8,9,20). The most common methods currently utilised include polarised light microscopy for general identification of minerals and rocks (1), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for semi-quantitative comparisons of the elemental composition (10,21,22), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) or scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) for mineral speciation and characterisation of native metals (7,13,23,24). In many methodologies, several techniques are undertaken on separated fractions of soil, allowing further differentiation compared to the bulk chemistry (10,21,23,24).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most common methods currently utilised include polarised light microscopy for general identification of minerals and rocks (1), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for semi-quantitative comparisons of the elemental composition (10,21,22), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) or scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) for mineral speciation and characterisation of native metals (7,13,23,24). In many methodologies, several techniques are undertaken on separated fractions of soil, allowing further differentiation compared to the bulk chemistry (10,21,23,24). The comparison of the quartz-recovered fine fraction (primary and secondary minerals < 20 mm found as coatings on quartz grains) is a method recently developed by Pitts and Clarke, which allows for differentiation of minute and fractionated forensic samples (25).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Newland

Pitts

Lewis

2021

Preprint

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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.

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“…A range of physical evidence types have been used to help test and establish what had happened at crime scenes, such as DNA, hair, paint, glass, fibers, and plant and soil traces. Although it has recently been more thoroughly investigated (1–3), the use of soil to assist criminal investigations dates back around 150 years ago (4) and even before that to the Roman time when they were reported to examine the hooves of enemies horses to work out where they had travelled. The use of soils in forensic investigations can be a valuable source of information due to its variable nature and the ability to ascertain the likely origin of soil traces adherent to a wide range of objects and people, including shoes, tires, clothes, and hair (5–9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chemical extractions have been frequently used in forensic studies: for example, total extraction and analysis by ICP‐OES/AES‐MS (1,3,12); organic extractions (2,13,14). All of these chemical methods were applied to an isolated matrix of the soil.…”

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The Use of a Sequential Extraction Technique to Characterize Soil Trace Evidence Recovered from a Spade in a Murder Case in Brazil*

Testoni

Melo

Dawson

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Soil trace evidence can be useful in criminal investigations. A homicide which had occurred in South Brazil been concluded through the courts with a guilty conviction. A spade with soil traces adhering to it was seized from the confessed killer's house, it having been established that it had been used to bury parts of the victim's body. In the context of this confession, it provided an opportunity to test a protocol of analysis and verify the potential of discriminate soil sample analysis in such case works. This allowed us to test the practice of sequential analysis which had been developed for forensic case works in Brazil, with three sequential extractions: (i) 0.2 mol/L pH 3.0 ammonium oxalate; (ii) dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate; and (iii) 0.5 mol/L NaOH. It was possible to predict the sequence of events related to the homicide by using the sequential extraction technique and to conclude that: (i) the A horizon soil from the burial location of the torso was found to be very similar to the soil samples which had been recovered from the spade, which was able to be established despite there only being a small amount of soil adhering to the spade; (ii) the location where the legs were buried contributed a low amount of soil adhering to the spade. Therefore, it is suggested that, where possible, sequential extractions should be prioritized from a questioned sample to best provide information about the likely sequence of contact places and this test likely scenarios and criminal events.

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Elemental fingerprinting of soils using ICP-MS and multivariate statistics: A study for and by forensic chemistry majors

Cited by 40 publications

References 28 publications

Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

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

The Use of a Sequential Extraction Technique to Characterize Soil Trace Evidence Recovered from a Spade in a Murder Case in Brazil*

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