======Soil Analysis======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Soil Evidence Investigation
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Label soil samples from the crime scene and three suspects.
  -Place a small amount of each soil sample on a paper plate.
  -Use the Munsell chart to identify soil color; record results.
  -Test texture by feeling soil and using the soil triangle (sand, silt, clay proportions).
  -Examine structure (granular, blocky, platy, single-grained) and note any unusual features (roots, shells, fibers).
  -Prepare a vial with a small amount of soil, add distilled water, and gently invert.
  -Add universal indicator drops, wait a few minutes, and compare color to the pH chart; record results.
  -Repeat for all samples.
  -Compare crime scene soil properties with suspect samples to determine the best match.



====Links==== 
Crime Scene Detectives: Soil Analysis - Chatty Zebra Curriculum: 
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📄 CSI: Forensic Soil Analysis - Soil Science Society of America: [[https://www.soils.org/files/sssa/iys/csi-activity.pdf]]\\

====Variations====
  *Test soil from different local areas and compare their unique characteristics.
  *Include unknown fibers or small debris in the samples for students to analyze.
  *Extend by creating a “soil profile” with layered samples to show soil horizons.



====Safety Precautions====
  *Do not taste or inhale soil or solutions.
  *Handle glassware and pipettes carefully to avoid spills or breakage.
  *Wash hands thoroughly after the activity.




====Questions to Consider====
  *Why is soil unique enough to be used as forensic evidence? (Each soil has distinct color, texture, structure, and chemistry.)
  *Which property—color, texture, structure, or pH—provided the strongest match? Why?
  *What factors could cause soils from different places to look similar? (Similar parent materials, climate, or land use.)
  *How might soil evidence be misleading if collected carelessly? (Contamination or mixing can give false matches.)