USE OF COLOUR IN THE DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN SOILS

• NCJ Number: 30853
• Journal: Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1975) Pages: 209-218
• Author(s): R J DUDLEY
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Forensic Science Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THIS STUDY INVESTIGATED THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A STANDARD COLOR SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY CONTROL SOIL COLORS, AND EXPLORED THE ADVANTAGES OF COLOR MATCHING USING DRY SOIL, MOIST SOIL, AND ASHED SOIL.

Abstract

THE USE OF MUNSELL SOIL COLOUR CHARTS IS SUGGESTED FOR ROUTINE MEASUREMENT AND LOCAL DATA COLLECTION OF DRY SOIL COLOUR. THIS ENABLES A WEIGHTING TO BE GIVEN TO THE EVIDENTIAL VALUE OF A COLOUR MATCH BETWEEN SUSPECT AND CONTROL SAMPLES IN THE RELEVANT AREA. PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED FOR RECORDING MOIST AND ASHED SOIL COLOURS AND THESE ARE EVALUATED FOR THEIR DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN SOILS HAVING THE SAME DRY COLOUR. ASHING IS FOUND TO HAVE A VERY GOOD DISCRIMINATORY POTENTIAL AND IS SUGGESTED AS A ROUTINE PROCEDURE. IT WAS FOUND THAT MOISTENING DOES NOT HAVE SUCH A GOOD DISCRIMINATORY POTENTIAL; HOWEVER, IT MAY BE USEFUL FOR SMALL SAMPLES WHEN ASHING IS NOT INDICATED BECAUSE OF ITS DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)