Journal Published Online: 01 January 2002
Volume 47, Issue 1

Identification of Stolen Rare Palm Trees by Soil Morphological and Mineralogical Properties

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The San Diego County District Attorney's office requested our help to investigate the theft of palm trees from a private collection of exotic plants. Circumstantial evidence led investigators to the suspect's residence where 33 palm trees were found. Because the victim raised all palms from seed in the same potting mix, we compared morphologic and mineralogic properties of soil samples collected from the root balls of palms that were at the victim's and suspect's residences. Analyses of soil color, reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid, particle size, heavy:light mineral ratios, and mineral speciation of the _2.86 g cm_3 fine sand fraction, indicated that 25 of 33 soil samples collected from palm trees at the suspect's residence were very similar to soil samples from palm trees at the victim's residence. After a pretrial hearing at which the soil evidence was presented, the suspect changed his innocent plea to guilty.

Author Information

Lee, BD
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Williamson, TN
University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Graham, RC
University of California, Riverside, CA
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS15223J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15223J