Soil Horizon by Trung Le

Humus

trle2502 — 2025-04-08 03:28:35 UTC

Humus is the dark, organic component of soil formed by decomposed plant and animal matter. In forensic science, it's valuable because its composition varies by location, helping investigators match soil traces on evidence to specific environments.

Topsoil

trle2502 — 2025-04-08 03:29:15 UTC

Topsoil includes humus and minerals, making it the most biologically active and disturbed layer. It's commonly transferred to clothing, shoes, or tools, which allows forensic experts to link suspects to crime scenes based on soil comparison.

Subsoil

trle2502 — 2025-04-08 03:33:36 UTC

Subsoil lies beneath the topsoil and contains fewer organics but more minerals. It’s useful in investigations involving buried bodies or objects, as disruptions in this layer can indicate tampering or excavation activity.

Parent Material

trle2502 — 2025-04-08 03:35:15 UTC

Parent material consists of weathered rock and mineral deposits that form the base for soil development. Its distinct composition can help narrow down specific geographical regions when analyzing deeper soil samples.

Bedrock

trle2502 — 2025-04-08 03:36:11 UTC

Bedrock is the solid rock layer beneath all soil horizons. Though rarely disturbed, its presence and type are useful in forensic geology to determine whether a burial site or land alteration is geologically plausible in a given area.