The following information will focus on the two substances used by forensic scientists to identify and compare matter, regardless of whether a material is organic or inorganic. The evidence that will be used in a court trial will depend on the examination carried out by the forensic scientist in the laboratory. The importance of distinguishing between organic and inorganic material is a necessary step in the criminal justice process. First the differences between organic and inorganic will be explained, then the strengths and weaknesses of each will be explained and finally the significance of both in relation to the justice system. Additionally, we will focus on soil in relation to how specific evidence is used in each case. Let's start now by listing the differences. Organic matter is composed of carbon and commonly in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, phosphorus, or other elements (Sanferstein, 2011, Pg 123). Inorganic substances are a non-carbon based compound or may include other known chemicals. To classify both compounds they must be classified based on the physical form they take. Saferstein lists the three forms which fall under: solid, liquid, and gas. “A solid is rigid and therefore has a defined shape and volume. A liquid also occupies a specific volume, but its fluidity causes it to take the shape of the container in which it resides. A gas has neither a defined shape nor volume and will completely fill any container in which it is placed” (2011, p. 120). Chromatography, spectrophotometry, and mass spectrometry are used to identify or compare organic materials. As explained by Saferstein “Chromatography is a means of separating and temporarily identifying the components of a mixture… in the middle of a sheet of paper… to place the suspect or offender behind bars. Analysis of soil compounds can be measured by levels of organic molecules including n-alkanes, fatty alcohols and fatty acids, all of which are found in the outer waxy layer of plant matter (Geddes, 2008). It basically states that compounds can remain in the soil for thousands of years, which explains that each area tested has its own unique organic profile.Works CitedGeddes, L. (2008). Organic soil materials fix the crime scene on a particular flowerbed. New Scientist, 199 (2666), 11. Retrieved July 3, 2011, from EBSCOhost.Goodpaster JV, Liszewski EA. Forensic analysis of dyed textile fibres. Anal Bioanal Chem. August 2009; 394(8):2009-18. Epub 2009 June 20. Review, PubMed PMID: 19543886. Saferstein, R. (2011). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.