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MEI615: FORENSIC SOIL EXAMINATION PART 1 (FORMERLY COM406)
The Forensic Soil Examination Part 1 course covers the forensic examination and comparison of soil. The class emphasizes methods and procedures used in the forensic community for soil analysis. Part 1 covers the forensic aspects of soil analysis, sample handling and processing with only an introduction to mineral identification. Part 2 emphasizes mineral identification. Lectures and laboratory exercises are devoted to soil collection, separation and particle identification. The characterization and identification of minerals and rock fragments, botanicals, and man-made particles such as glass, paint and metals using stereobinocular and polarized light microscopy (PLM) is stressed. Instrumental techniques such as scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), cathodoluminescence, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) are also discussed and demonstrated. Throughout the week actual case studies are used for illustration. Proper note-taking, report writing and court testimony skills round out the workshop.
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Date
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Times & Locations
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Instructor(s)
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Credits
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Cost
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10/4/2010 -
10/8/2010
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Westmont, IL
| Mon: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Tues: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Wed: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Thurs: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Fri: | 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Bisbing
Schneck
Bierman
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3.5
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7/25/2011 -
7/29/2011
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Westmont, IL
| Mon: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Tues: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Wed: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Thurs: | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
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| Fri: | 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Bisbing
Schneck
Bierman
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3.5
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Are you interested in this course, but it is either not offered or not at a time that works with your schedule? Let us know and we will notify you when it is available next.
Offline registration is available by calling the registrar at 630-887-7100 or by downloading the offline registration form, completing it, and faxing to 630-887-7412.
* If a scheduled course is full, you may be placed in a waiting list.
- History of forensic geology
- Review of polarized light microscopy
- Soil from a forensic science perspective
- Soil genesis, sampling, color, evidence, constituents, particles
- Soil surveys, maps and specialized experts
- Soil Separation
- Soil Microscopy
- Model analysis
- Instrumental methods
- Note taking, report writing and testifying
- Methods and procedures for the proper sampling, characterization, identification and comparison of soil using the particle approach and how polarized light microscopy is used for that purpose.
- The course is designed for those working in forensic microanalysis and trace evidence having a solid background in polarized light microscopy, but have little to no practical experience in forensic soil examination. Soil scientists, geologists, botanists, and archaeologists having an interest in soil microscopy may also find this course useful.
- Detailed course manual
- Essentials of Polarized Light Microscopy by John Gustav Delly
- Evidence from the Earth: Forensic Geology and Criminal Investigation,
By Raymond C. Murray, Mountain Press Publishing Company (2004),
Post Office Box 2399, Missoula, Montana 59806 USA, ISBN 0-87842-498-9.
- Olympus BX51P microscope with polarized light capabilities
- Basic course in polarized light microscopy
- Basic course in trace evidence examination
Students are expected to successfully complete a variety of tasks in the form of hands-on exercises, laboratory exercises, identifications of unknowns, and quizzes. In addition, the students are required to have 100% attendance during the course, participate in class, complete a student evaluation form and pre and post course assessment forms.
The student is notified at the end of the course whether or not they have successfully completed the requirements of the course based on:
- 100 % attendance
- class participation
- completion of all course material
- completed and signed student evaluation form
- completed pre and post course assessment forms.
Upon successfully meeting these requirements, a student is awarded a certificate of completion and IACET CEU credits, if available. Those who have not successfully passed the course requirements do not receive a certificate or IACET CEU credits.
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