Dust and Soil as Evidence

Dust and Soil as Evidence Quiz Crafted By-

Nitika

Scientific Officer

Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi

Introduction to Dust and Soil as Evidence

Soil can provide important information to criminal investigations as transfer evidence because many criminal cases take place under circumstances such that soil transfers to a criminal or victim. The variation in soils from place to place makes soil valuable evidence to prove linkage between a suspect and a crime scene. Soil is a complex mixture with a variety of mineralogical, chemical, biological, and physical properties. Considering such complexity, a variety of methods have been developed for forensic science purposes. Because minerals are an important component of soils, mineralogical examination is essential in forensic soil identification. Additionally, many other methods can be applied to raise the discriminating power, but not all kind of methods need to be used. What is important is that examiners select an appropriate combination of methods by considering the context of the soil samples. 

Let's look at the questions and their answer. 

Ques 1. The following liquids are commonly used in the density gradient determination method of soil examination are

a) Bromoform

b) Nitrobenzene

c) Mixture of bromoform and bromobenzene

d) Chloroform

Answer-c) Mixture of bromoform and bromobenzene

Ques 2. Which microscope has found wide application for examination of birefringent material present in soil?

a) Polarizing Microscope

b) Comparison Microscope

c) Fluorescent microscope

d) Stereomicroscope

Answer- a) Polarizing Microscope

Ques 3. The main components of dolomite soil, aside from silica, are

a) Aluminium Oxide

b) Ferrous oxide

c) Both a & b

d) Calcium Sulphate

Answer-d) Calcium Sulphate

Ques 4. After collecting the blood stained soil from the crime scene, it should be sent for examination.

a) As such without drying 

b) After drying in oven

c) After drying under shade

d) After drying under fan

Answer-c) After drying under shade

Ques 5.  In what type of packaging should soil evidence be placed?

a) Plastic

b) Paper

c) Glass

d) Airtight

Answer- d) Airtight

Ques 6.  Chemical properties of soil would include

a) pH

b) color

c) pH and trace chemicals

d) Trace chemicals

Answer-c) pH and trace chemicals

Ques 7.  Soil evidence can be used as what type of evidence in court?

a) Class

b) Individual

c) Both a and b

d) None of the above

Answer-c) Both a and b

Ques 8. When a body is buried, the soil ___ are disturbed.

a) layers

b) Properties

c) color

d) None of the above

Answer-a) layers

Ques 9. Black mineral color in the soil is generated to the presence of:

a) Iron

b) copper

c) Magnesium  and iron 

d) All of the above

Answer- c) Magnesium  and iron

Ques 10.  X-ray diffraction of soil  is used 

a) To determine its mineral and chemical composition 

b) To determine color and texture

c) Both a and b

d) None of the above

Answer- a) To determine its mineral and chemical composition