Note: For systematic learning of the Soil and Dust MCQs in Forensic Science, you can hover over the main page of the Trace Evidence MCQs sections.
1. The study of soil constitutes an independent branch of science known as :
- Pedology
- Environmental study
- Mineralogy
- None of the above
Answer
Answer: (1) Pedology
2. The forensic definition of soil is:
- A mixture of mineral grains and decayed organic matter
- A mixture of mineral grains, organic matter, and any other material mixed with the sample
- Decayed organic matter only
- Anything that looks like dirt
Answer
Answer: (2) A mixture of mineral grains, organic matter, and any other material mixed with the sample
3. Any disintegrated material, natural and /or artificial that lies on or near the earth’s surface is better known as
- Mineral
- Rock
- Soil
- Lava
Answer
Answer: (3) Soil
4. Process of formation of soil regulated from various processes such as effects of place, environment, and history is called
- Pedology
- Mineralogy
- Palingenesis
- Pedogenesis
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (4) Pedogenesis
Explanation: Pedogenesis is derived from Greek words: ‘pedo or pedon’ defines ‘soil, earth’ and genesis means ‘origin, birth’
-> Pedogenesis is also defined as soil development, soil evolution, soil formation, and soil genesis.
5. Which of the following process evades the soil formation
- Weathering
- Watering
- Erosion
- All of the above
Answer
Answer: (4) All of the above
6. Soil aggregates naturally into a structural unit called
- Rocks
- Peds
- Coarse
- All of the above
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (2) Peds
Explanation: Particles and small aggregates in the soil can cluster together to produce larger aggregates (peds), which are the soil’s ‘building blocks.’
-> They are formed by the effect of shrinking, swelling, and pressuring forces.
7. The study of the relationship between soil and living organism is called
- Pedology
- Pedogensis
- Palynology
- Edaphology
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (4) Edaphology
Explanation: Edaphology is the study of soil and how it is affected by living organisms such as fungi, plants, and even human beings.
8. The study of rocks is termed as:
- Pedology
- Palynology
- Petrology
- No Distinct discipline
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (3) Petrology
Explanation: Petrology is the study of rocks, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, as well as the processes that shape and transform them.
-> Similar term, ‘Mineralogy’: a study of the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of the mineral constituents of rocks.
9. Following are the inorganic constituent of soil, except
- Stones
- Sand
- Silt
- Decay organisms
Answer
Answer: (4) Decay organisms
10. Which of the following granular material of soil has the largest diameter?
- Clay
- Sand
- Silt
- Both (2) and (3) are same
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (2) Sand
Explanation:
-> Sand: Largest granular particles, 2.00 to 0.05 mm in diameter, feel gritty when rubbed between fingers.
-> Silt: 0.05mm to 0.002 mm, feel floury when dry.
-> Clay: extremely fine and smaller than 0.002 mm.
11. Dust is a mixture of
- Solid particles
- Particles size below 100 µm
- Clay
- Both (1) and (2)
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (1) Solid particles
Explanation: Dust is made from small solid particles whose particle diameter is less than 75 µm.
-> They settle on the surface under their own weight after being suspended in the air for some time. (Source)
12. Soil can be divided into layers known as horizons. Horizon ‘O’ is the topmost layer having which of the following?
- Sand and Silt
- Mixture of minerals and clay
- Organic constituents (humus)
- Mixture of sand and mineral particles
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (3) Organic constituents (humus)
Explanation: -> Horizon O: Organic matter such as decomposing leaves, humus.
-> Horizon A: Topsoil mainly contains minerals with organic matter incorporated.
-> Horizon E (eluviated): Leached matters of clay, minerals, and organic matter.
-> Horizon B (subsoil): Rich in minerals that leached (moved down) from above horizons.
-> Horizon C (parent material): Deposition of slightly broken-up bedrock or weathered rock.
-> Horizon R (bedrock): The unweathered rock of granite, basalt, quartzite, limestone or sandstone, etc.
13. Soil evidence is a challenge to Forensic Scientists because soil profiles may differ
- After 100 feet
- After 60 feet
- After 50 feet
- Within a few feet itself
Answer
Answer: (4) Within a few feet itself
14. The control soil sample for matching the incriminated soil sample of footprint should be collected from:
- Footprint itself
- About 2-3 inches away from the footprint
- About 1 feet away from the footprint
- More than 1 feet away from the spot
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (2) About 2-3 inches away from the footprint
Explanation: The standard value to collect the control soil sample is 3 to 4 inches to the questioned soil sample.
15. Dust from clothing and other placed evidence should be collected using
- Vacuum
- Brush
- Cellophane tape lifting
- All of the above
Answer
Answer: (2) Brush
16. Dirt from fingernails should be collected using
- Clipping
- Brushing
- Dirt remover cuticle stick
- Both (1) and (3)
Answer and Explanation
Answer: (4) Both (1) and (3)
Explanation: From living beings: dirt remover cuticle stick can be used
-> At post mortem: clipping should be done
-> Clipping can also be done when there are possible traces of dirt or dead cells.
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