100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
logo-home
Previously searched by you
Previously searched by you
logo
Unit 9: Assignment 1 - Soil, pollen and diatom evidence £9.48
Add to cart
Quickly navigate to
Preview
  2.  
  3. PEARSON (PEARSON)
  4.  
  5. Forensic And Criminal Investigation
  6.  
  7. Unit 9 - Environmental Forensics

Essay

Unit 9: Assignment 1 - Soil, pollen and diatom evidence

3 reviews
 2 purchases

A report using data from three practical sessions in a lab, including further techniques to be used in the analysis of soil, pollen, and diatom evidence. This includes potential health & safety hazards, variables in the method, a discussion of the results, as well as photographs of soil, pollen, an...

[Show more]

Preview 2 out of 12  pages

Document information

  • March 10, 2022
  • 12
  • 2020/2021
  • Essay
  • Unknown
  • A+

Subjects

Written for

All documents for this subject (13)

3  reviews

review-writer-avatar

By: msriddell • 1 year ago

review-writer-avatar

By: denisagrigoriu • 2 year ago

review-writer-avatar

By: sandrunia20050405 • 2 year ago

Seller

avatar-seller
LukeDavid

Reviews received

Content preview

An investigation into
the techniques used to
analyse soil, pollen,
and diatom evidence.
Luke David Farrar
November 2020

, Introduction
The analysis of soil, pollen, and diatom evidence is of crucial importance in a wide range of forensic
investigations. To cover the main techniques, along with the methods of collection for these types of
evidence, will be the focal point of this report.
Results from my tests will be included as supporting evidence, in addition to evaluating and
comparing each test. A discussion and conclusion of multiple results; an evaluation of the techniques used,
along with improvements based on a broad range of different techniques, will be crucial in determining the
methods and practicality of the examination and usefulness of these three forms of evidence.

Soil analysis
Introduction
Using soil sieve analysis, I am aiming to match an unknown sample of soil collected at a crime scene
to 12 controlled samples to place the suspect at the scene. This will be completed by comparing the
characteristics of each soil using the size, colour, and pH to make a positive match.

Hypothesis
Suspect sample A will match control sample 3.

Equipment
 Sieves (sizes on table)
 Tissue for desk
 Containers for soil samples
 Munsell colour chart (p. 10R)
 pH/UV indicator
Sieve Measurement
Method
no. s
Using six layers of sieves with varying mesh sizes that are stacked
No. 20 0.840mm
on top of each other, place a fistful of a soil sample on the top sieve (No.
No. 30 0.590mm
250). Then, gently shake the sieve tower to allow the soil to pass through
No. 60 0.250mm
the various layers but be careful to not shake the tower too much. Once the
No. 80 0.177mm
soil has travelled through the sieve, dismantle the 6 sieves, and determine
No. 120 0.127mm
the sieve with the highest amount of soil present. This sieve will be used to
No. 250 0.057mm
classify the particle size of the soil, as well as the overall distribution of
particle size.
Use page 10R of the Munsell colour chart to determine the colour of the soil sample. Then, using a
pH indicator, determine the pH of the soil. These data sets will be used to determine which controlled
sample of soil matches a suspect sample.

Techniques
Some of the major identifying features of soils are their structure, sediment, and colour. One
technique to analyse the structure and sedimentation—by using the particle size and distribution of the soil
—is a gradation test, or a soil sieve analysis.
By separating the soil sample through multiple layers of mesh sieves decreasing in size, it is possible
to determine the distribution of an unknown soil sample. As an identification
technique, knowing the distribution and particle size of an unknown sample are
extremely beneficial in determining the origin of the sample. Further analysis can
then be taken by weighing the contents of that sieve against the overall mass of the
soil sample.
The table in (Figure 1.2) shows the measurements used during my soil
analysis. These measurements vary from the example shown in (Figure 1.1),
though, they are set up the same way.
After measurements of the distribution and particle size of soils have been
(Figure 1.1)
completed, the colour of the soil sample is then analysed to increase our confidence


1

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller LukeDavid. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for £9.48. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

70713 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 15 years now

Start selling

Recently viewed by you

Exam (elaborations) ·

(0)

Bio 102 Already Passed Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers

Exam (elaborations) ·

(0)

CHEM-210 Exam 2 with 100% correct Answers already graded A

Exam (elaborations) ·

(0)

PA State Auto Inspection Exam Questions And Answers

Exam (elaborations) ·

(2)

CMY3702 Crime Typologies: MCQ Exam Pack with answers

Lecture notes ·

(0)

1V - ZT1: Dagelijkse zorg, ADL (leerdoelen hoofdstuk 1-3)

Exam (elaborations) ·

(1)

COS1511 ASSIGNMENT 4 SOLUTIONS 2022 MARKING SCHEME FLIGHT

Exam (elaborations) ·

(0)

NRSG 4502 PEDS Final Exam Test Bank Questions and Answers

Exam (elaborations) ·

(0)

CWV 101 FINAL EXAM TEST WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS 2023/2024

Exam (elaborations) ·

(0)

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY REVISED STUDY GUIDE ( NEW) 2023 GRADED A+.
£9.48  2x  sold
  • (3)
Add to cart
Added