The forensic analysis of soils and sediment taken from the cast of a footprint

Bull, P.A.; Parker, Adrian; Morgan, Ruth M.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.06.075

Cited by 85 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The technique has previously been demonstrated to be highly informative in the investigation of the provenance of geoforensic samples 18,42 and offers a number of advantages in forensic investigations since it requires very small quantities and a simple and non-destructive sample preparation, which aids the interpretation of data derived from samples comprising mixtures of material from different provenances 16 . Quartz grain surface texture analysis has been shown to work well in combination with other forensic analytical techniques in previous studies 18,25 and was, therefore, considered a good candidate for use in conjunction with HPLC. The potential for HPLC to add value to geoforensic investigations was assessed by comparing the abilities of both techniques to distinguish between close-proximity sample locations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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: 97%

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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“…Traditional forensic soil comparisons employ physical techniques to examine the colour, texture, density, and mineralogy to discriminate soil samples [2]. Spectroscopic techniques can also provide further discrimination by identifying the chemical composition [3,4]. While not as extensively studied, the analysis of soil associated with decomposed remains can also provide useful forensic information, particularly for estimating time since death [5] or deposition [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biochemical alteration of soil beneath a decomposing carcass

Benninger

Carter

Forbes

2008

Forensic Science International

132

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“…Forensic soil scientists have a range of sophisticated analytical techniques available to compare soil with possible places of origin [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Their expertise has provided compelling evidence in criminal investigations; especially when forensic soil evidence strongly associates a suspect with a victim or crime scene [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil transference patterns on clothing fabrics and plastic buttons: Image processing and laboratory dragging experiments

Murray¹,

Fitzpatrick²,

Bottrill³

et al. 2017

Forensic Sci Crimino

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An Australian homicide case in 2007 provided the catalyst for a series of soil transference experiments. Trace evidence of soil and brick particles on a victim's clothing provided evidence that the victim was initially attacked in her front yard and not where her body was buried. Police investigators hoped to use the patterns of soil and brick particles on the victim's clothing to prove the circumstances of the initial attack and the method by which the victim's body was moved. However during court proceedings, it became apparent that no relevant scientific literature existed that would enable forensic investigators to recognise or interpret trace soil patterns on clothing.In response, methodology to study soil transference was designed to enable distinctive trace soil patterns on bra fabric to be identified and categorised. In this paper, the new methodology involving visual observation, digital photography of the soil patterns and image processing software is applied to test the influence of four common clothing fabrics on the abundance of soil transferred and the patterns produced. The clothing fabrics tested involved cotton, nylon, polyester-cotton and polar fleece (polyester brushed both sides), clothing seams and buttons. The soil types tested were expanded to twenty different soils to better understand the influence of soil type, moisture content and clay fraction (<2 μm) mineralogy on soil transfer patterns. Experiments simulated a clothed human body dragged across different natural and anthropogenic soil surfaces, under both wet and dry conditions in the laboratory.

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The forensic analysis of soils and sediment taken from the cast of a footprint

Abstract: . (2006) The forensic analysis of soils and sediment taken from the cast of a footprint.

Cited by 85 publications

References 7 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 biochemical alteration of soil beneath a decomposing carcass

Soil transference patterns on clothing fabrics and plastic buttons: Image processing and laboratory dragging experiments

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