The article briefly reviews the history of forensic soil science and the reasons why soil materials are considered ideal pieces of contact trace evidence. It also provides an excellent example of forensic soil science in solving a murder case.

View Lesson
Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Grade Level
9-12
Lesson Area
Soil Forensics/Archaeology
Lesson Type
Reading
Lesson Keywords
Soil Careers
Forensics
Crime
Soil Scientist
Soil Forensics/Archaeology

Next Generation Science Standards

Grade Discipline Core Idea
9-12 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Resource availability has guided the development of human society and use of natural resources has associated costs, risks, and benefits.
9-12 ESS3.B: Natural hazards

Natural hazards and other geological events have shaped the course of human history at local, regional, and global scales.