Characterization of soils from the Algarve region (Portugal): A multidisciplinary approach for forensic applications

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Alexandra Guedes (Author) FCUP; Helena Ribeiro (Author) FCUP; Bruno Valentim (Author) FCUP; Andreia Rodrigues (Author) Other; Helena Sant'Ovaia (Author) FCUP; Ilda Abreu (Author) FCUP; Fernando Noronha (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Science and Justice - Journal of the Forensic Science Society

Vol. 51

Pages: 77-82

ISSN: 1355-0306

Publisher: Forensic Science Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 25 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-R69

DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2010.10.006

Abstract (EN): The Algarve is located at a very short distance from North Africa, in Southern Portugal, and as one of the most touristic regions of Portugal, it is accessible by air, land and sea. It is very susceptible to many illegal activities, such as illegal migration, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and murder, among others. Therefore, an Algarve soils database for forensic purposes is being conducted with the conjunction of geological and palynological methodologies on soils characterization, since this is of fundamental importance to assess reliable evidence on forensic investigations. In this study, the properties of soils from several proximate sites from the Algarve were investigated, namely: (i) colour determined by spectrophotometry; (ii) particle size distribution determined by laser granulometry; (iii) low-field magnetic susceptibility by a susceptibility meter; and (iv) pollen content using a light microscope. Finally, a hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to ascertain the capacity of the different soil properties for discrimination between samples. The study reveals the utility of geobotanical techniques for forensic discrimination of soils. Even though some similarities between some of the samples were found, each one presented a combination of colour, particle size distribution, magnetic susceptibility and pollen features that enable the determination of a fingerprint expected to reveal a specific site for future selection of coastal search areas in the Algarve region.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6