Vocabulary
The loose material on Earth’s surface made of minerals, organic matter, water, and air is called _____.
What is soil?
The vertical arrangement of soil layers in a specific location is called a _____.
What is a soil profile?
Sand composed mostly of quartz, mica, and feldspar is called _____ sand.
What is continental sand?
Examining soil with the naked eye or simple tools is called _____ examination.
What is macroscopic examination?
The concentrated area of decomposition products around a buried body is called a _____.
What is a cadaver decomposition island (CDI)?
The dark organic material formed from decayed plants and animals in soil is called _____.
What is humus?
When a body is buried and soil layers are mixed, the _____ becomes disturbed.
What is the soil profile?
Dark-colored sand containing basalt or olivine from volcanic activity is called _____ sand.
What is volcanic sand?
Examining soil particles using microscopes is called _____ examination.
What is microscopic examination?
Vegetation around a decomposing body may initially be _____.
What is killed?
The process in which wind and water break down rocks into smaller particles is called _____.
What is weathering?
Natural layers of soil that develop over time are called soil _____.
What are horizons?
Sand formed from the remains of marine organisms is called _____ sand.
What is skeletal (biogenic) sand?
A technique that identifies minerals by producing unique patterns using X-rays is called _____.
What is X-ray diffraction?
As decomposition continues, soil quality in the area tends to _____.
What is improve?
A soil particle smaller than sand but larger than clay is called _____.
What is silt?
Finding subsoil and rocks on the surface may indicate the soil has been _____.
What is disturbed?
Sand formed when minerals crystallize from evaporating water is called _____ sand.
What is precipitate sand?
Forensic scientists may analyze soil using chemical tests, physical tests, and _____ examination.
What is microscopic examination?
Gravesites are easier to detect when the sun is _____ and shadows are more visible.
What is low?
The scientific study of Earth’s rocks and structure is known as _____.
What is geology?
Investigators compare evidence soil to databases of _____ to help locate possible sites.
What are soil profiles?
Sand grains usually range from _____ mm to _____ mm in diameter.
What is 0.05 mm to 2 mm?
Soil evidence can link a suspect, victim, or object to the _____.
What is the crime scene?
Factors like soil pH, oxygen level, and soil moisture affect how a body _____.
What is decomposes?