1. Soils, Minerals, Wood, & Other Vegetative Matter
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2. Soils, Minerals, Wood, and Other Vegetative Matter.
Location
Link suspect
Trace Evidence
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3. Soil
Any material, both natural and artificial, that lies on or near the Earth's surface
Most of this evidence is only useful as support or lead generating
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4. Examination of Soil
Throughout the examination of soil an observer must:
Look for trace evidence
Compare the physical and chemical properties of each sample to a control sample
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5. Matching Soil Samples
Two samples are considered to be the same if and only if they match on each and every level of the following tests
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6. Dry Samples & Pulverize
Dirt changes shade and color at different moisture levels
Dried dirt may clot
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7. Gross Examination
Color
Texture
Shapes
Foreign Objects
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8. UV-Observations
Note the shape, size, number, and identity (if possible) of any material that fluoresces
Compare
Samples
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12. The clothes of this female look normal. Any chemicals?
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19. A UV-Light may also be used to find trace evidence on a body
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21. Microscopic Observation
Color
Texture
Shapes
Foreign Objects
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22. Place a thin layer of dirt on a slide
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23. WARNING
Place only a small amount of sample on the slide at a time. Be sure the dirt is placed only in the center of the slide so as not to allow it to fall in the microscope.
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24. Place a second slide on top of the sample
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25. Naked Eye
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26. Microscopic x10
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27. Microscopic x40 (Cotton Fiber)
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28. Final Comparison
Any and all foreign objects found should be investigated separately
If all previous comparisons are similar between two samples they likely originate from the same area
As final comparison density gradient columns may be utilized
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29. Naked Eye
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30. Microscopic x40 (Minerals)
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31. Naked Eye
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32. Microscopic x40 (Organic Material)
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33. Density Gradient Tubes
Assemble two identical density columns with varying levels of liquids in them
Drop equal amounts of soil samples (a control and unknown) in the columns
Allow the samples to disperse throughout the columns for comparison
If the two samples are of the same origin, then they will produce nearly identical gradient tubes
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