Soil as Evidence

What are the 3 main types of soil textures? Mark all that apply.

• Sand

• Silt

• Clay

• Mud

• Peat

Which descriptions below would most likely indicate the presence of a recent gravesite?

• soil level raised, increased plant life

• soil level lowered, increased plant life

• soil level lowered, no plant life on surface

• soil level raised, no plant life on surface

Which of the following represents an undisturbed soil profile, starting at the surface?

• humus, topsoil, sand and silt, subsoil, broken rock, solid rock

• topsoil, humus, subsoil, sand and silt, broken rock, solid rock

• topsoil, subsoil, humus, sand and silt, solid rock, broken rock

• None of the other answer choices are correct

Soil with a gritty texture is most likely heavily composed of:

• sand
• silt
• clay
• gravel

Soil with a smooth texture is most likely heavily composed of:

• sand
• silt
• clay
• gravel

Soil is made of

• weathered rocks and minerals
• dead plants and animals
• air and water
• all of the above

Chemical Properties of soil would include

• pH

• trace chemicals

• color

• pH and trace chemicals

Which of the following greatly increase the probative value of soil evidence?

• Artifacts and contaminants

• Rocks and minerals

• Sand, silt, and clay

• Organic matter

In what type of packaging should soil evidence be placed?

• plastic

• paper

• glass

• airtight

When a body is buried, the soil _____________ are disturbed.

• layers

• textures

• densities

• properties