Estimation of land utilization from soil samples using analytical chemistry and molecular biological methods.

Abstract

Soil is a source of evidence linking people and objects to crime scenes in criminal investigations. Previous analyses have not focused on organic compounds and/or DNA. In this study, we aim to estimate land utilization, vegetation from soil analysis by adding chemical and biological perspectives. Pyrolysis GC-MS analysis was performed on 10 soil samples, and clearly different pyrograms were obtained. Plant DNA was extracted from seven soil samples and PCR amplification of the rbcL region yielded a broad product. Metagenomic analysis of the extracted DNA using a next-generation sequencer is is now ongoing.