ISSN: 0022-1198
Published Online: 1 July 1985
Page Count: 9

A Statistical Method for Assessing Soil Comparisons
Caddy, B
Research assistant in forensic science, senior lecturer in forensic science, and lecturer in forensic science, Forensic Science Unit Royal College, University of Strathclyde,

Gettinby, G
Senior lecturer in statistics, University of Strathclyde,

Robertson, J
Research assistant in forensic science, senior lecturer in forensic science, and lecturer in forensic science, Forensic Science Unit Royal College, University of Strathclyde,

Wanogho, S
Research assistant in forensic science, senior lecturer in forensic science, and lecturer in forensic science, Forensic Science Unit Royal College, University of Strathclyde,

(Received 16 October 1984; accepted 3 December 1984)

Abstract

The soil variables: median particle size, modal class interval of particle size, and percentage of organic matter have been examined in an attempt to discriminate one soil sample from another. Using analysis of variance and the two-sample z test, statistic similarity probabilities for control soil samples as they relate to soil samples of unknown origin have been calculated. This approach has been successful in allocating the correct source of 19 out of 20 soil samples selected at random from a data bank of 100 collected from a single field. Soil from unrelated sources was correctly excluded.

Keywords:
forensic science, soils, comparative analysis

Paper ID: JFS11019J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11019J
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