Soil (43-53)

Question 1

XRD methods is:

Answer 1

Non-destructive examination.

Question 2

XRD methods is:

Answer 2

Identification via database of XRD data.

Question 3

XRD methods:

Answer 3

• Most significant for identification, characterization, semiquantitative and quantitative analysis of minerals in soil.

Question 4

XRD methods:

Answer 4

Extremely small sample quantities and large quantities.

Question 5

XRD methods “advantage:”

Answer 5

Unique character diffraction patterns of crystalline; and poor crystalline soil minerals.

Question 6

Wood and other plant fibers:

Answer 6

• Includes pieces of timber or timber products used as weapons
• Wood comes from softwood and hardwood
• Wood is laid down through annual growth cycle
  Annual rings can be read to give history of parent tree
• Theft and illegal logging
• Wood cells or fibers found in paper
• Examination part of document examiner

Question 7

Drift Spectroscopy main “advantages:”

Answer 7

• Non destructive
• Rapidly applied
• Mid infrared portion of electromagnetic spectrum is sensitive to organic materials, clay materials and quartz because absorption of IR light at the vibrational frequencies of molecular functional groups that constitute the materials.

Question 8

In Forensic geology, it maybe necessary:

Answer 8

• Conduct aerial examination, analysis of geology of the area and ecology.

Question 9

Countries sometimes have internal databases:

Answer 9

Parent material, climate, organisms and amount of time it takes for these properties to interact will vary.

Question 10

Diatoms and other algae:

Answer 10

• Most common micro algae encountered as trace evidence
• Occur in many habitants
  Marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments
• Various species that flourish in generally inhospitable environments
• Diatoms have extremely resilient siliceous cell walls called “Frustules”
  Contain two halves
• Frustules are highly resistant
• Diatoms most commonly associated with drowning investigations