Forensic evidence. Forensics officer removing a shovel from the boot of a car. The shovel is coated with soil which must be analysed for forensic evidence. Soil samples can provide important evidence in criminal investigations. The soil can be analysed using microscopes, x-ray diffraction and DNA sequencing to provide detailed information on the soil composition. This information can be compared to a soil type database and matched to a geographical location. This evidence can be used to trace the movements of the suspect in relation to the crime. Photographed at the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen, UK.