Name_____________________________________Date____________Period_______________
Forensic Soil Analysis Field Exercise
Background
Now that you have established the basic principles of soil analysis and had the opportunity to test
some examples up close, a more advanced type of application must be designed. For this
exercise, you will be given a sample that will serve as “evidence” and must go outside and find the
location where the sample was obtained. This exercise will take considerable time since the area
of investigation will be quite large and you must be able to narrow it down to within several yards
to receive full credit.
Situation
UD police were recently called about a missing person from an upset parent living approximately
.5 miles from the high school. A search was conducted for the child but only a muddy shoe was
discovered at the front entrance of the school. The encrusted material on the bottom of the shoe
has been removed for you and has been marked as evidence for analysis. While a match of this
sample will not reveal where the child is, it will provide at least some evidence as to where the
child was and may aid police in determining the direction of travel. The job of your team is to find
a soil match somewhere on the high school property using proper forensic techniques. Your
eventual conclusion must be backed up by firm proof and specific similarities between your
sample and the evidence.
Procedure
1.
Provide a complete analysis of the suspect sample on the sheet provided.
2.
Send teams out into the field to look for similar samples. Multiple analyses will be needed
to complete the investigation.
3.
Each member of the team must provide a minimum of one complete analysis for a sample
obtained in the field. An analysis must include specific the presences/absence of a variety
of materials both natural and artificial. Specifics on color, texture, classification, etc. must
be provided.
4.
Each sample should be numbered and the location where it was obtained clearly indicated
on the map that each group will be provided.
5.
When the group believes a match has been found, a clear mark must be placed on the map
and identified by the word TARGET. The exact size of the mark is unimportant but it
should be specific. Note: Any TARGET that, in fact, hits close to where the sample was
obtained must also show clear evidence that sample(s) were tested in that area and be
backed up by complete scientific results.
6.
The completed lab should be turned in with the soil analyses stapled together in order by
number with the marked map stapled last.
Grading
Grading will include both an individual grade for the completeness of one or more sample
analyses and a group grade will be given depending on how close the group’s TARGET came to
the actual location where the sample was obtained.
Individual Score
Score
Criteria
10
Complete, specific and detailed answers and/or sketches. Clear and considerable
demonstration of concepts taught in class
9-8
Complete and generally specific answers and/or sketches included in most situations.
At least an above average understanding and application of concepts taught in class.
7
Completeness of answers and/or sketches tend to be hit or miss. Some understanding of
concepts taught in class included but noticeable gaps exist.
6
Below average demonstration of concepts taught in class either by omissions, vague or
incorrect answers.
5 or less
Lab incomplete, very vague or without evidence of application of skills/material taught
in class
Team Score
Score
Criteria
10 (+5)
TARGET is within 10 yards
10
TARGET is within 25 yards
8
TARGET is within 50 yards
6
TARGET is within 75 yards
4
TARGET is beyond 75 yards
2
TARGET is beyond 100 yards
Abundance Key
Abundance
Criteria
Very Common
Found in large quantities, at least 50% of total sample
Common
Found in relatively large quantities but less than 50%
Uncommon
Rare
Very Rare
Unique
Found easily but not nearly as often as the above two classifications
Found enough to note but overall in small quantities
Found in very small quantities but worth mentioning as a specific component
Found only once but may represent a “silver bullet” or have forensic importance
Team___________________________________Date____________Period_______________
Forensic Soil Analysis Field Exercise
Lab Sheet
Sample ____________Analysis
Technician_______________
Physical Characteristics
Color (RGB)_____________________
Chief Minerals:
Munsell Value____________________
Sample Composition
%Large Particles__________________
Chief Rocks:
% Sand_________________________
%Silt___________________________
% Clay__________________________
Animal Evidence
Soil Classification
% Sand_________________________
%Silt___________________________
Plant Evidence
% Clay__________________________
Soil Type ________________________
Detailed1 Description of Sample2 (Continue on back)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
1
“Detailed” must include specific details about precise mineral/rock content, color, texture, smell, relative abundance of material, natural and
artificial material and relevance of location
2
Continue on back if necessary. Sketches or other notes useful in the investigation are strongly encouraged.
Team___________________________________Date____________Period_______________
Forensic Soil Analysis Field Exercise
Summary of Findings
Technician making report________________________________
Report must include:
•
•
Specifics on similarities/differences found among the various retrieved samples and the
suspect sample
Scientific basis for the chosen TARGET location including links to samples, etc.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Team___________________________________Date____________Period_______________
Forensic Soil Analysis Field Exercise
Search Area
Note: Specific locations can be determined by using known distances to objects contained in the
map regardless of whether or not temporary features are still present. Each group may request a
tape measure to use outside to establish specific distances.
Search Area
Search Area