| If you are a big fan of the CSI or Forensic Files TV | | | | the day the crime was committed. Similarly, finding |
| shows, you may have seen the TV scientists analyze | | | | horse dung in a soil sample could suggest that the soil |
| soil samples that were found at the scene of a crime. | | | | came from a horse farm and not from the suspect's |
| These were soil samples that were perhaps found on | | | | backyard. |
| the victim's shoes but no where else to be found in the | | | | Further forensic chemical analysis can determine |
| immediate vicinity of the crime scene. They could be | | | | whether two samples share the same chemical |
| soil samples embedded in the tire tread of a car that is | | | | properties. Using X-ray diffraction, the criminalist can |
| suspected to be used in a crime. | | | | examine and compare the minerals that are present in |
| Soil is not just plain dirt. It is a conglomerate of several | | | | soil samples. Gas chromatography/Mass |
| things. They include minerals, plants, animal matter, and | | | | spectroscopy (GC/MS) can be used to identify many |
| tiny particulates of synthetic products like glass, paint, | | | | individual components in a soil sample. Another |
| asphalt, cement, and other things. The contents of soil | | | | laboratory technique called differential thermal analysis |
| are not uniform wherever you go. They differ from | | | | is useful. The premise behind differential thermal |
| one place to another. Soil found on the beach in | | | | analysis is that soils release and absorb heat at |
| Ocean City, Maryland has different components from | | | | varying rates. In this analysis, a soil sample is heated, |
| soil found on the beach in Myrtle Beach, South | | | | and the point at which the soil breaks down, melts, or |
| Carolina. | | | | boils is recorded. These results are then compared |
| The first step involved in analyzing soil samples is | | | | with the same thermal properties of other soils to |
| visually and microscopically inspecting the soil to make | | | | determine whether or not they are consistent enough |
| determinations of acidity, consistency, color, and mineral | | | | to be considered a match. |
| content. Next, the forensic scientist looks for any | | | | Forensic laboratory science can be a powerful tool |
| foreign objects such as plant materials like leaves or | | | | when solving a serious crime such as murder. |
| animal material like hair, teeth, or nails. For instance, | | | | The next time you watch your favorite CSI or |
| finding evidence of beachfront sandy soil on the | | | | Forensic Files TV show, you will have a better |
| carpets of a suspect's car can contradict his | | | | understanding of why soil samples are important in the |
| statement that he had never been to the beach on | | | | investigation of a crime. |