A density gradient technique for use in forensic soil analysis
Petraco, N
Forensic consultant to the New York City Police Department, Forensic Investigation Division, and adjunct instructor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New Yrok, NY.

Kubic, T
Full-time instructor and Ph.D. Candidate in forensic science, John Jay College, City University of New York, New York, NY.


Abstract
A high-density aqueous salt solution for the preparation of density gradients is presented. It has been used successfully by the authors in forensic soil analysis. It has a density range that allows for the separation of a soil specimen's heavy mineral components. It has no odor or toxic fumes, which eliminates the need to use a hood during preparation, and is far superior to the organic liquids normally used to prepare density gradients. This liquid should cause many forensic scientists to reexamine their attitudes towards using density gradients in forensic soil casework.

Keywords:
analysis, comparisons, criminalistics, density gradients, forensic science, heavy mineral separation, soil

Paper ID: JFS4540872

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Author Greenspoon, SA Affiliation Virginia Division of Forensic Science, Richmond, VA. Author Ban, JD Affiliation Virginia Division of Forensic Science, Richmond, VA. Author Pablo, L Affiliation Virginia Division of Forensic Science, Richmond, VA. Author Crouse, CA Affiliation Palm Beach County SheriffÆs Office, West Palm Beach, FL. Author Kist, FG Affiliation Pennsylvania State Police DNA Laboratory, Greensburg, PA. Author Tomsey, CS Affiliation Pennsylvania State Police DNA Laboratory, Greensburg, PA. Author Glessner, AL Affiliation Pennsylvania State Police DNA Laboratory, Greensburg, PA. Author Mihalacki, LR Affiliation Pennsylvania State Police DNA Laboratory, Bethlehem, PA. Author Long, TM Affiliation Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory, MD. Author Heidebrecht, BJ Affiliation Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory, MD. Author Braunstein, CA Affiliation Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory, MD. Author Freeman, DA Affiliation North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, NC. Author Soberalski, C Affiliation Indiana State Police, IN. Author Bruesehoff, N Affiliation Indiana State Police, IN. Author Amin, AS Affiliation The Bode Technology Group, Springfield, MD. Author Douglas, EK Affiliation The Bode Technology Group, Springfield, MD. Author Schumm, JW Affiliation The Bode Technology Group, Springfield, MD. Author Petraco N, Kubic T Title A density gradient technique for use in forensic soil analysis Symposium , Committee on