research topics in forensic botany

DNA-Based Analysis of Plant Material in Forensic Investigations

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• First Online: 15 April 2022
• Cite this reference work entry

• James M. Robertson 4 ,
• Natalie Damaso 5 &
• Kelly A. Meiklejohn 6  

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Plant material has been used in traditional forensics to reveal and support investigative leads and establish the geographic origin. Identification of plant poisons in a rapid timeframe may be crucial in the treatment of accidentally or intentionally exposed victims. The establishment of the time or season of death may be estimated from plant evidence. Genetic analysis of evidentiary plant material can aid in regulatory forensics in the elucidation of illegal trade of endangered species, to monitor the trade of illegal substances, as well as provide information on the adulteration of foods, medicinal and herbal products. Yet, despite the several advantages of having plant identification capability, most forensic laboratories do not offer this service. There are numerous reasons for this deficiency in operational offerings. Case examiners who are experts in human DNA identification generally have no experience with non-human DNA analysis. External experts would have to be used to provide botanical knowledge for an investigation. Examiners would have to be trained for provision of plant DNA evidence in court. Another issue is the perception of a lack of standard procedures to perform botanic investigations that include field collection of evidence and reference samples, DNA isolation techniques, and genetic analysis methods. The aim of this chapter is to provide information on the genetic analysis of plant material that may alleviate concerns to induce a more proactive approach to forensic botany.

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Robertson, J.M., Damaso, N., Meiklejohn, K.A. (2022). DNA-Based Analysis of Plant Material in Forensic Investigations. In: Dash, H.R., Shrivastava, P., Lorente, J.A. (eds) Handbook of DNA Profiling. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4318-7_59

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19 August 2020

Plant forensics: Cracking criminal cases

Learn how forensic botany and kew’s plant science help solve crimes..

By Katie Avis-Riordan

Plant science has many amazing uses but there is one that may come as a surprise.

It can help catch killers, solve modern-day crimes and save lives in the process.  

This branch of plant science is known as forensic botany.

What is forensic botany?

Forensic botany, otherwise known as plant forensics, is the use of plants in criminal investigations .

This includes the analysis of plant and fungal parts, such as leaves, flowers, pollen, seeds, wood, fruit, spores and microbiology, plus plant environments and ecology.

The aim is to link plant evidence with a crime, such as placing a suspect at a crime scene through analysis of pollen or seed particles found on their clothing.

Discovering what the plant species is and where it comes from can help identify how the plant was used, or where and when a crime took place.

Some minuscule plant particles invisible to the naked eye can cling to material and be preserved for years, even decades.

This evidence can then be used in court.

How Kew cracks mysteries

Here at Kew, our Commercial Phytochemistry Unit (CPU) is a specialist team of scientists who, as part of their job, help investigators solve their mysteries.

Headed by our Deputy Director of Science Professor Monique Simmonds , the team examine plant and fungal samples sent in by investigators, and use cutting-edge methodology to crack criminal cases.

Bringing all the elements of Kew Science together, and using our wealth of botanical knowledge, world-class collections and databases is crucial for answering investigative questions.

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Common and much less common scenarios in which botany is crucial for forensic pathologist and anthropologists: a series of eight case studies

Marco caccianiga.

1 Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Giulia Caccia

2 Labanof (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Debora Mazzarelli

Dominic salsarola, pasquale poppa, daniel gaudio.

3 Department of Anthropology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

Annalisa Cappella

Lorenzo franceschetti, stefano tambuzzi, lidia maggioni, cristina cattaneo.

It is commonly accepted that crime scene recovery and recording are key moments of any judicial inspection in which investigators must decide on the correct strategies to put into place. Complex outdoor scenarios, presenting partially or entirely skeletonised remains, can benefit more than others by the intervention of environmental specialists (forensic anthropologists, archaeologists, entomologists and botanists). These experts are capable of singling out, correctly recording and recovering environmental evidence that can lead to a more comprehensive reconstruction of a given criminal episode. If human remains are discovered in an outdoor scenario, the on-site presence of a botanist will guarantee a correct approach to the identification, recording and recovery of any botanical evidence. If an on-site botanist is not available, the operators must be capable of both the botanical evaluation of a scene and the implementation of correct botanical sampling protocols.

The following collection of unusual case histories that aim at underlining the efficacy of forensic botany will examine the determination of post mortem or the post depositional interval, evidence for a victim’s post mortem transfer, evidence for the identification of a primary crime scene and evidence for the identification of a victim’s dismemberment site. In another two cases, one, we will illustrate the important role that forensic botany played in the discrimination between botanical material used to voluntarily conceal a victim and vegetation that had grown naturally above a disposal site, whereas the other will highlight the protocols implemented for the identification of a murder weapon.

Introduction

Forensic botany is the applied scientific discipline that regards the general study of botanical evidence in judicial investigations [ 1 , 2 ] and includes many sub-disciplines, such as palynology (the study of pollen and spores), dendrochronology (the study of growth rings of tree stems and roots), lichenology (the study of lichens), mycology (the analysis and the identification of fungi) and bryology (the study of bryophytes) [ 3 ]. This array of studies can prove to be very effective in a variety of forensic scenarios, such as in determining the difference between accidental death, suicide or murder [ 4 – 6 ]. It can provide extremely valuable information as to the location of a burial and the interval since deposition [ 7 – 12 ]. Furthermore, fragments of branches, roots, leaves and seeds found at a crime scene can provide links between a discovery site and possible suspects, contributing to alibi testing and/or the determination of whether a discovery location refers to a primary or secondary crime scene [ 2 – 5 , 13 – 16 ]. Finally, botanical evidence can provide useful information regarding the identification of a specific murder weapon [ 4 ]. In all these applications, the analysis of botanical traces can be carried out with the classic techniques of morphological analysis or, in some cases, with the most modern techniques of biomolecular investigation [ 17 ].

Even though over recent years, forensic botanists have been more frequently employed in outdoor crime scene investigations, however the majority of cases have only been related to well-preserved human remains [ 3 – 6 , 16 , 18 ]. As illustrated in Table ​ Table1, 1 , the majority of botanical studies of a forensic nature have been aimed at the estimation of post mortem intervals (PMI) through dendrochronological analysis or, more recently, the analysis of moss growth patterns that colonize bone surfaces [ 8 , 19 – 24 ]. To the best of our knowledge, other cases in which forensic botany has been applied to skeletonised or partially skeletonised human remains have not, as yet, been reported in literature.

The main issues addressed, the applied techniques and the states of preservation of the examined human remains published in principle recent literature regarding forensic botany case studies

Therefore, we are presenting eight different murder cases in which forensic botany has played an important role, providing otherwise unavailable information that contributed to the reconstruction of a specific chain of criminal events. All of the cases described involve at least partially skeletonised human remains, representing one of the most challenging and complicated scenarios that forensic pathologists will find themselves having to deal with. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first exhaustive report that presents an assembly of case studies highlighting alternative applications to forensic botany on partially or totally skeletonised human remains.

Case 1: forensic botany and a victim’s concealment location

In October of 2011, in a pre-Alpine valley in northern Italy, the skeletal remains of a victim were fortuitously discovered along the overgrown banks of a river, entangled in a bush, during routine maintenance work. Forensic archaeological protocols were implemented for the victim’s recovery, and evidence was positioned using a numbered grid system by a forensic anthropologist and a forensic pathologist. Above the skeletonised victim’s remains, several plant components were discovered, recorded and recovered (Fig.  1a, b ). During the same inspection, the area’s spontaneous vegetation was carefully analysed, and a sample strategy was put into place for future comparison with the material that was directly associated with the remains. The remains, that were eventually identified as being those of a woman who had disappeared 3 months earlier, presented no peri-mortem trauma that could be clearly diagnostic as to the victim’s cause and manner of death. On the basis of circumstantial evidence, the woman’s husband was identified as a suspect and was subsequently charged with the murder and arrested. The vegetation that was recovered from above the victim was later analysed with the use of an episcopic microscope (Leica zoom 2000), and the leaf and stem morphology was compared to reference material and dichotomous keys. This analysis strategy provided data that led to the identification of leaves and pruned branches which recovered directly above the remains as Prunus laurocerasus , a shrub species not present amongst the spontaneous vegetation sampled in the discovery area (Fig. 1b, c ). However, a pile of severed branches and leaves discovered approximately 100 m from the discovery site, even though not pertaining to the same species as those found above the victim, led specialists to identify the general area as a clandestine dump site, typically used for the disposal of garden waste. The experts concluded that the perpetrator had hidden the woman’s body in a bush that was already growing in the area and had further concealed it by covering it with Prunus laurocerasus plant trimmings, recovered from a nearby fly tip. Thanks also to the support of the botanical evidence presented above, the suspect was sentenced by the Court of Appeal and subsequently by the Cassation Court (Italy’s supreme Court of Appeal) for both his wife’s murder and for the aggravated circumstance of the unlawful disposal of a dead body.

Human remains partially covered by plant components a , the Prunus laurocerasus leafs and branches collected during the on-site inspection b and close-up of the severed extremities of two branches c

Case 2: forensic botany and the identification of a murder weapon

In June 2010, skeletal human remains were found in a rugged woodland area in Canton Ticino (Switzerland). Following anthropological and genetic analysis, these were later attributed to a girl who had disappeared the previous year just a few hours after having met a young male subject. In order to thoroughly investigate the victim’s deposition and to obtain any information regarding the possible transfer of the corpse, botanical investigations were carried out. The scene was inspected by a forensic botanist who sampled and identified the discovery site’s predominant surrounding species and litter. The specimens that were directly associated with the human remains were analysed through the use of an episcopic microscope (Leica zoom 2000) and where necessary, with an optical microscope (Leitz). All of the recovered material was then photographed and identified through comparison with reference collections and dichotomous keys. All the examined specimens were consistent with the overall vegetation that constituted the woodland. Furthermore, the analysis of each of the victim’s bones revealed botanical traces that were consistent with the species found in the plant litter directly associated with each of the victim’s specific anatomical regions, thus indicating a limited movement of skeletal remains during decomposition. In particular, some wood fragments that were found embedded in a fracture line along the skull’s frontal region were considered to be relevant (Fig.  2a ); however, they were found to be too small for typical microscopic analysis of the cross, radial and tangent sections and were therefore subjected to comparative analysis through episcopic and optical microscopy that provided the splinters’ diagnostic compatibility with the Castanea sativa (chestnut) (Fig. ​ (Fig.2b). 2b ). The anthropological analysis of the recovered cranial fragments determined the fracture to be the result of traumatic injury caused by a blunt object with a reduced striking surface. The presence of wood splinters embedded within the cranial fracture and the anthropologist’s determination of the type of injury both concurred with the use of a wooden object as the murder weapon. Even though it could not be excluded that the splinters embedded in the cranial fracture derived from plant litter, the subsequent comparative analysis with a nearby pile of chestnut blocks, probably cut from the surrounding trees did, however, provide full compatibility with the suspected murder weapon.

Bone fragment belonging to the frontal region of the victim’s skull a splinters of wood associated with the fracture in the victim’s skull; the fragment circled in red was microscopically analysed and identified as Castanea sativa b

Case 3: forensic botany and PMI estimation

In July of 2011, during road maintenance work, skeletal human remains were discovered lying in an uncultivated area adjacent to a main road. During the crime scene inspection, the importance of the complex interaction between vegetal elements, in particular root systems, and the human remains became immediately apparent and called for the expertise of an on-site forensic botanist. Firstly, the specialist implemented a sampling strategy in order to carry out a comparative analysis between the local vegetation and the specimens that were subsequently recovered from the human remains. The victim’s skull was characterized by the presence of the large root that penetrated the right acoustic meatus (Fig.  3a ). The left shoe, that still contained bones belonging to the victim’s foot, was deeply penetrated by a series of finer roots belonging to a bramble specimen, Rubus sp. In the same manner, the right shoe also containing remains of the victim’s foot presented a Phytolacca americana root that had developed through the shoe’s eyelets and tightly encircled the entire article (Fig. ​ (Fig.3b). 3b ). With the aim of estimating the post depositional interval, the context required an ante quem terminus that was estimated through the implementation of the dendrochronological analysis of several of the roots that were intrinsically associated with the skeletal remains: the roots in the acoustic meatus and associated with the victim’s vertebra were estimated at a year development, the roots in the left shoe evidenced a 3-year-old development and the roots that developed in the right shoe presented a 6-year growth (Fig. ​ (Fig.3c 3c ).

The right side of the skull with a large root penetrating the acoustic meatus a , the right shoe containing skeletal remains and encircled by a Phytolacca Americana root b , and close-up shot of the sampled root c

Therefore, it was possible to determine a relatively precise terminus post quem non, establishing the time of the victim’s disposal to a date that was at least prior to 2006. A less certain, but probable maximum term for the victim’s disposal was also provided by botanical analysis allowing specialists to narrow down the victim’s disposal to just a few years. A thick hedge composed of Ligustrum sp . mixed with invasive plant species such as Sambucus nigra ran adjacent to the disposal site. The combined presence of the hedge, that was estimated as being a maximum of 20 years of age and the extremely invasive Sambucus nigra, that dated back to 1999, suggest that the hedge had not been subject to any maintenance in at least the last 10 years. By cross referencing the dendrochronological data with the assumption that any pruning or maintenance work on the hedge would have led to the discovery of the victim’s remains, it was established that the illegal disposal of the dead body must have taken place between the very end of the 1990’s (indicative term), when the Sambucus nigra started to grow, and 2006 (certain term), when the root systems started to develop. The estimation that the two botanical examinations provided was fully confirmed following the anthropological identification of the victim that led to the disappearance of a man in 2003. Furthermore, thanks to the botanical analysis based on the relationship between the victim’s skeletal remains and the surrounding vegetal elements, it was also confirmed that the body had been merely deposited on the area’s surface, and no attempts at the burial had been made. The lack of any botanical evidence referring to other locations led to corroborate the fact that any transfer of the victim had taken place.

Case 4: forensic botany, the estimation of PMI and environmental dynamics

In April of 2013, a skull was discovered on a river bank in an Alpine valley in northern Italy. The forensic investigation of the site was carried out by an interdisciplinary team of specialists including both forensic anthropologists and archaeologists, who by means of forensic archaeology survey techniques, inspected and recorded the discovery site. During the surface cleaning operations, a natural depression containing numerous post cranial bones was recorded. Due to the complex interaction that takes place between human remains, soil and botanical features, it was decided that a part of the in situ crime scene should be lifted and taken to the laboratory for excavation in a controlled environment. The forensic botanist that took part in the investigation of the recovered material was asked to shed light on three distinct queries: was the recovery site the primary and only crime scene? What the estimation of the post mortem or post depositional interval was? Was there a deliberate will on behalf of a perpetrator to conceal the victim’s remains?

The material that was taken to the laboratory for analysis was recovered in such a way as to maintain the context’s integrity, and this allowed for its correct micro-excavation and the preservation of any mutual relationships between the various elements that constituted the undisturbed portion of the recovery site. The anthropological examination of the skeletal remains did not identify any peri-mortem trauma that could confirm a violent cause and manner of death.

The odontological analysis did, however, provide conclusive evidence as to the identity of the subject that corresponded to a male individual that had disappeared in the same area 16 years earlier. All of the recovered botanical elements were successfully identified. The examination revealed that the specimens were consistent with the recovery site; thus, the transfer of the subject from a primary location was, from a botanical perspective, not supported.

The second part of the botanical examination, geared towards the determination of the minimum PMI, was achieved by means of root and moss analysis. The moss specimens, that extensively colonized the deceased’s skull and clothes, were mainly identified as Hygrohypnum luridum (Fig.  4a ) . The recovered moss sample consisted of three branches and considering a year’s growth for each branch and another year’s growth for decomposed branches that were still visible, and the specimen was dated to 4 years of age (Fig. ​ (Fig.4b). 4b ). This data concurred with the dendrochronological analysis performed on shrub roots intrinsically associated with the skeletal remains that had settled between 2002 and 2011. Considering the amount of time needed to colonize the subject’s remains, this interval could be marginally extended. On the basis of the post quem non interval, it was possible to chronologically place the victim’s death between the late 90’s and the early 2000’s.

Inferior, left portion of the skull colonized by moss and, below, close-up shot of a recovered moss sample a , one of the recovered moss sample that colonized the left portion of the skull b , and SEM image of the victim’s sweater in which two diatoms are visible c

Due on to the area’s morphology, hydrology and the fact that the thin layer of soil deposited above the remains (maximum 10 cm) presented a homogeneous distribution of living stems throughout its depth, the presence of dense vegetation, colluvial and alluvial deposits were all elements that were considered to be consistent with the progressive accumulation of soils and botanical elements throughout the post depositional interval. The presence of rounded mineral fragments recovered at the discovery site and the presence of frequent freshwater diatoms on the subject’s clothing (Fig. ​ (Fig.4c) 4c ) but not on the bone samples were highlighted by stereo electron microscopic (SEM) analysis and further confirmed the hypothesis that the discovery site was periodically affected by the flooding of a river that ran just a few meters below the deposition. This was further corroborated by available historical data regarding the river’s frequent change in water levels. The surface growth horizon was also recorded through the height of the shrub collars that were positioned just a few centimetres above the remains. For these reasons, the discovery site was considered to be that of a surface deposition that had been gradually covered by natural soil accumulation, presenting no evidence for any attempts of concealment or burial.

Botanical analysis along with anthropological and medico-legal considerations concluded that the human remains belonged to a single male subject that had decomposed in situ and had died of unknown causes between the late 90s and the early 2000s.

Case 5: forensic botany and the confirmation of a primary crime scene

At the end of February 2011, the partially skeletonised corpse of a girl that had disappeared in the previous November was found in a field in a sparsely populated industrial area in northern Italy. The authorities carried out a large and prolonged search campaign over a wide area that also included the discovery site. Due to this, when at last the victim was discovered, presenting evident signs of violence and foul play, the search operators and the authorities suspected that the victim may have been murdered elsewhere and subsequently transferred and deposited at the discovery site. During the initial inspection, the on-site pathologist and forensic archaeologist that recovered the victim observed a deep interconnection between the human remains and plant specimens directly associated with the corpse. In the days following the victim’s recovery, a forensic botanist carried out an on-site inspection in order to implement a sampling strategy to determine the vegetation species that occupied the surrounding area, the adjacent area and the area directly beneath the profile of the victim’s deposition.

It subsequently emerged that the field was dominated by the presence of Buddleja davidii , Rubus sp. and numerous large size forbs such as Epilobium hirsutum , Solidago gigantea and grasses such as Sorghum halepense and Panicum dichotomiflorum . The vegetation that was clenched in the victim’s right fist was identified as Sorghum halepense (prevalent species), Epilobium hirsutum and Rubus sp . Moreover, it was noted that below the area previously occupied by the cadaver Epilobium hirsutum seedlings were absent, this contrasted to the adjacent areas in which they grew extensively (Fig.  5a ). Finally, a Solidago gigantea leaf was found directly beneath the victim’s skull.

The surface beneath the victim’s body: in contrast to the adjacent areas, the seedlings of Epilobium hirsutum were absent. a Diagram illustrating the detailed analysis of the distribution of botanical elements associated with the victim and the surrounding area b

The absence of botanical evidence that could lead to other different environments than that of the discovery area along with the lack of any other environmental evidence in this sense supports the theory that the field in which the victim was found was indeed the primary crime scene, and that the victim had not undergone any post mortem transferral (Fig. ​ (Fig.5b). 5b ). On the basis of other botanical findings, the estimation of the post depositional interval was also determined and was compatible with estimations made by other specialists. In fact, by observing the distribution pattern of the Epilobium hirsutum seedlings that did not occupy the area directly beneath the victim’s body, it was evident that the corpse had been in the same place and position before the seedlings sprouting began. As the suitable temperatures for the germination of these seedlings was reached in that area only at the beginning of February, the minimum depositional interval could be estimated at 25–30 days prior to the victim’s discovery. In regard to the maximum depositional interval and in this case, the certain post mortem interval, the estimation was reached through the analysis of the Solidago gigantea leaf recovered from beneath the girl’s skull. Being particularly well preserved and well laid out, unlike those exposed to atmospheric agents which appeared crumpled and damaged, it was assumed that the protection offered by the corpse directly above it allowed for the leaf to be recorded still stretched out and well hydrated. Since Solidago gigantea is a late summer-autumn flowering species whose leaves and stems gradually dry out from September to November, it was concluded that the corpse had been deposited on top of the leaf from the late autumn. The determination of the chain of events and the chronological time span were perfectly consistent, not only with the date of the victim’s disappearance but also with the hypothesis that the field that had already been searched in November was to be considered as the primary murder scene.

Case 6: forensic botany and the identification of a victim’s site of dismemberment

In September of 2017, the partially skeletised corpse of a woman who had disappeared approximately 1 month earlier was found. The victim had been decapitated and subsequently buried in a shallow grave in a suspect’s orchard. Following the search of his home, male blood-smeared clothing was recovered. Genetic analyses subsequently identified the blood as that of the missing woman. Whilst the main portion of the victim’s body was recovered during archeo-forensic investigations in the orchard, the head was missing and had evidently been transferred to an unknown secondary location. The victim’s skull, found a few days later, was closed in a black plastic sack in a wooded area not far from the suspect’s residence (Fig.  6a ).

Image of the victim’s skull found in a black plastic sack a and diagram illustrating the three possible dismemberment locations: environment no.1 b , no. 2 c and no. 3 d

In order to identify the victim’s dismemberment site through botanical analysis, a forensic botanist carried out a series of on-site inspections in the days that followed the recovery, sampling botanical material from both the victim’s skull and each of the scenes that were suspected of being the possible site. The areas that were identified as possible places of interest were the garden of the suspect’s house (environment no. 1) (Fig. ​ (Fig.6b), 6b ), the wooded area in which the head had been recovered (environment no. 2) (Fig. ​ (Fig.6c) 6c ) and finally, the orchard where the buried body had been exhumed (environment no. 3) (Fig. ​ (Fig.6d). 6d ). On the external surface of the sack that contained the skull, botanical specimens that referred to two species were identified: Phytolacca americana and Rubus sp, whereas the inside of the sack contained a series of other botanical elements, some of which were attributed to Robinia pseudoacacia , Poaceae bambusoideae (i.e. bamboo) and Malus domestica . As a complete match between the botanical elements from the sack and the head’s discovery site (environment no.2) was not obtained, Poaceae bambusoideae (i.e. bamboo) and Malus domestica in fact were not present in the environment no. 2, so the specialists decided to focus on the botanical similarities between the sack’s contents and the other two locations in order to identify the environment that could have left on the remains the elements absent in the discovery site. The suspect’s garden (environment no. 1) presented only two, non-exclusive, species in common with the sack’s botanical content, Rubus sp . and Poaceae bambusoideae , whilst the samples gathered from the orchard (environment no. 3) provided four species in common, including the three found inside the plastic bag: Rubus sp . , Poaceae bambusoideae , Robinia pseudoacacia and Malus domestica , of which the latter was exclusive only to this location. On the basis of this botanical evidence, the orchard proved to be the environment that best represented all of the botanical elements associated with the victim’s skull. The orchard was therefore identified as the location in which the victim’s dismemberment probably took place, as was later confirmed by statements provided by the suspect himself.

Case 7: forensic botany and the recovery of charred vegetal specimens

In November 2012, a plastic sack containing human skeletal remains belonging to a male individual was found in one of the tanks of a hydroelectric power station in the province of Gorizia in northern Italy. The victim was identified by means of DNA analysis, and it emerged that he was a missing person that had disappeared approximately 20 months earlier, around the time that his landlord had evicted him. The plastic sack contained several charred bone fragments and some botanical elements, including pieces of charred wood, whereas some of the partially burnt timber was referable to either a Mediterranean pine ( Pinus halepensis , P. pinaster , P. pinea ) or a spruce ( Picea ), and other small portions of charred branches were attributable to two distinct broad-leaved trees ( Phyladelphus sp . , Staphylea sp . ). Due to these findings and the fact that a few days after the victim’s disappearance, a column of smoke was seen rising from the courtyard of his old house, and a judicial on-site inspection involving a forensic botanist was undertaken. During the examination of the soil that the plastic sack contained and the subsequent sieving regime, centimetre-sized fragments of charred human bone were recovered together with charred and non-charred fragments of wood. The surviving fragments of the bone were too charred to hope for a successful DNA identification. Nevertheless, a botanical comparative analysis between the charred vegetal specimens found inside the sack and the plant species growing in the courtyard was carried out. The macroscopic characteristics of the fragments of pinewood associated with the bone fragments, such as their annular amplitudes and their carbonisation state, as well as microscopic diagnostic elements such as medullary rays and resin channels, all appeared to be the same and almost perfectly coincided with those sampled in the courtyard (Fig. ​ (Fig.7). 7 ). In the same manner, the charred broad-leaved specimens that were gathered from the plastic sack also presented very similar characteristics to those gathered during the sampling campaign. Botanical analysis, therefore, revealed full consistency between the charred vegetal evidence associated with the human remains and the plant species that grew in the suspect’s courtyard, linking the victim to the site in which his corpse was very probably illegally cremated.

The comparison between macroscopic (left) and the × 400 microscopic (right) characteristics of a charred fragment of the pinewood found in the plastic sack (above) and a similar fragment found during the on-site inspection (below)

Case 8: forensic botany and ingested vegetal specimens

In November of 2017, a semi-closed suitcase containing partially skeletonised human remains was discovered in a woodland area in a northern Italian province. During the initial on-site inspection, the entire suitcase along with botanical samples from the surrounding area was collected by the forensic pathologist that was investigating the scene. During the subsequent autopsic examination, laminar specimens similar to cuticles with a vegetal appearance and leathery consistency were recovered from the inside of the suitcase. These were incorporated in an organic substance that was later identified as a piece of colon tract (Fig.  8a ). Given the location of this discovery, incorporated in the subject’s large intestine and the morphology of the recovered elements, it was assumed that they corresponded to vegetal food remains that had been ingested by the victim some hours prior to death. Macroscopic analysis identified the fragments as belonging to a fruit’s exocarp. Microscopically, based on the characteristics of the vegetal cells, it was possible to circumscribe the specimen to either a tomato, Solanum lycopersicum (Fig. ​ (Fig.8b) 8b ) or a persimmon ( Diospyros kaki ) (Fig. ​ (Fig.8c). 8c ). Whilst the former could not provide particular indications in regard to the PMI, the latter due to its marked seasonality could have provided valuable information in this sense. Due to the particularly strong microscopic similarities that the two fruits present and the fact that diagnostic identification by means of bimolecular analysis resulted in being inconclusive, after consulting with a series of botanists, it was finally concluded that the fruit remnants were attributable to Solanum lycopersicum . Despite the difficulties encountered during the identification of the recovered evidence, the potential contribution that this kind of analysis can provide remains indisputable.

Comparison between the cellular characteristics belonging to the recovered piece of cuticle found in the victim’s colon a , those of a tomato b and a persimmon c

In regard to the analysis of the other botanical evidence that was recovered from the suitcase and the comparison with the samples that were gathered from the area during the on-site inspection, a significant homogeneity of specimens was recorded. This led to the conclusion that no evidence regarding any transit from previous, different locations was present. Based on the growth pattern of brambles that were absent beneath the suitcase, it was hypothesised that it had been abandoned on the discovery site’s surface before the previous growing season, probably during the second half of 2016.

The eight cases that have been presented in this paper involve almost entirely or at least partially skeletonised human remains in which the botanical sampling strategies were carried out with different ad hoc protocols. Regardless of the approaches implemented, all of the cases produced very clear and useful results. This was only possible due to the scrupulous attention with which the on-site experts, that were not necessarily from a botanical background, carried out the inspections, recoveries and sampling protocols. However, in both national and international contexts, this discipline is unfortunately too often underestimated due to a general lack of specifically qualified personnel who are capable of recognizing and sampling botanical evidence and to the widespread lack of culture in regard to the discipline and potential of forensic botany [ 3 , 4 , 24 , 25 ]. It is important therefore that crime scene specialists, who are not necessarily forensic botanists, apply an interdisciplinary approach to both victim recovery and crime scene recording with the awareness of the informative power of traces of different origins; in fact, the true power lies in combining different kinds of evidence. In order for forensic botany to put to use its full potential, it is essential that botanical sampling and recovery strategies regarding both human remains and crime scenes do fulfil some minimum requirements. The exact locations at which botanical specimens have been collected must be recorded through forensic photography and 3D positioning techniques. This is aimed not only at documenting the relationships between botanical evidence and victim’s remains, but also in precisely establishing the wider botanical settings. In addition, correct recording strategies will involve written descriptions and tables, audio recorded notes, sketches and video recordings. The topographic and photographic recording is aimed at documenting the scene prior to any intervention, during operations and in the post recovery of remains and evidence. It also provides a comprehensive and extremely precise illustration of the crime scene’s three dimensional morphology, extension and position of any of the gathered botanical material. Aside from concentrating on the human remains themselves, sampling strategies involving the collection of botanical specimens belonging to the surrounding area will provide a comprehensive background documentation of a given recovery location. This should at least include the area’s predominant plant species, with particular reference to tree species that constitute the main structure and biomass of a scene’s original ecosystem. Their identification will provide overall ecological information regarding a specific site and will correspond to samples that, in all probability, will be found in direct association with a victim’s remains [ 2 ]. Finally, where possible the integral recovery and transportation of all, if not a part of the in situ deposition site to the lab can, in circumstances in which the importance of botanical information is deemed to be superior to that of other specialists, be a viable option that may guarantee a more thorough recovery and preservation of botanical data. It must however be remembered that a similar decision must be taken by the acting search and recovery manager, as this type of operation can compromise other specialists sampling and recovery strategies. As often occurs during operative activities, there are moments in which the assessment of the value of certain types of available information has to be made, and this will require decisions regarding exactly what can and cannot be sacrificed for the benefit of the investigation. It must however be underlined that the integral recovery and preservation of all contexts that have any direct or indirect physical or stratigraphic relationship to a victim will always be recovered, bagged and preserved for the further analysis.

The choice of the most suitable approach to the recording and recovery of botanical evidence can only be based on the personal experience of the expert responsible for the sampling strategy as no two cases are ever identical. In fact, no predetermined checklists or guidelines can be of assistance in the detection and recovery of all of the relevant elements that are pertinent to a specific forensic scenario [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]. The genesis of this problem lies in the fact that what is relevant at today’s scene may or may not be relevant tomorrow or vice versa [ 4 ]. However, some protocols such as a thorough recording strategy of the discovery site are often extremely useful and in some of the simpler cases can even be considered to be sufficient. In cases that require a later botanical inspection, once the victim has already been recovered, a further in-depth analysis can be carried out. Albeit, it should be considered that botanical elements and environments are subject to rapid alterations and are exposed to a high risk of environmental dispersion (fauna and meteorological phenomena) that can potentially modify entire distribution patterns [ 4 ].

The discipline of forensic botany undoubtedly represents an important source of information in the investigation of a variety of different forensic scenarios, often providing valuable and useful information to an inquiry. In the case of skeletal or partially skeletonised human remains in which some other disciplines are simply not effective, as we have illustrated in these case studies, forensic botany can offer a great potential in the discovery of a victim’s location, the duration of its deposition and the sequence of events that may have taken place at a given scene. Forensic botany, however, can only concretely assist the forensic pathologist or investigators if the collection of botanical evidence has been carried out by forensic experts or by on-site personnel who have at least a minimum amount of training in the implementation of sampling protocols, accurate recording techniques and in the collection of background environmental data regarding a specific discovery location. Only if these preliminary on-site steps are taken correctly can the collection, identification, classification and preservation of botanical evidence be presented to an investigating body or indeed, a court of law.

Considering its potential, the discipline of forensic botany should be taken into consideration in any scenario that can potentially present botanical evidence. As outlined and demonstrated by the cases illustrated in the present paper, the information that can be provided, even if at times only circumstantial, can certainly shed light on many of the classic queries that judicial investigators advance. It is a fact that to date, botanical evidence has been increasingly presented during court proceedings and has become a widely debated subject. For this reason, the awareness of the potential that this discipline can provide in a wide variety of scenarios must increase amongst representatives of the forensic scientific community.

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Forensic Botany: Evidence and Analysis

Affiliation.

• 1 Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA.
• PMID: 26242238

Forensic botany is the use of plant evidence in matters of law. While plant fragments are often collected as trace evidence, they are only occasionally identified using microscopy and are still more rarely assessed using molecular biology techniques for individualization and sourcing of a sample. There are many different methods useful for DNA typing of plants; this review focuses on those techniques (DNA sequencing, STR, AFLP, RAPD) most relevant to the forensic science community and on those methods currently in practice. Plant evidence is commonly associated with homicides, with clandestine graves, as trace pollen on clothing, vehicles, or packaging, or in the transport of illicit drugs. DNA can be especially useful for the identification of minute quantity of samples, for differentiation of plants that lack distinguishing morphological features, and for generating a unique identifier for associative forensic evidence.

Keywords: AFLP; DNA; RAPD; STR; forensic botany; seeds.

Copyright © 2009 Central Police University.

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are harnessed to help its inhabitants find sustainable solutions for some of their most pressing needs – clothing, food, housing, jobs, clean air … clean water. Welcome to planet earth! ) Early in January, 1935, a man named Arthur Koehler worked his way through crowds of people gathered outside the courthouse in Flemington, New Jersey. He was there to testify in one of the most important trials of the 20th century, the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping of the young son of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne. Dr. Koehler was an expert on wood anatomy and identification at the Forest Products Laboratory, United States Forest Service in Madison, Wisconsin and what was unique about the particular testimony he was about to give was that it dealt with the structure of wood, namely the wood of the ladder used by the kidnapper. Presenting that kind of evidence was highly unusual, there was little precedence for it, and it was not clear it would even be allowed. The use of scientific expert witnesses was an uncommon and limited practice at that time and botanical evidence had little standing in the criminal courts. The defense argued strongly against allowing Dr. Koehler to testify, saying “there is no such animal known among men as an expert on wood; that it is not a science that has been recognized by the courts; that it is not in a class with handwriting experts, with fingerprint experts, or with ballistic experts... The witness probably may testify as an experienced carpenter or something like that, …. but when it comes to expessing an opinion as an expert or as a scientist, why that is quite different indeed. We say that the opinion of the jurors is just as good...” ( ). The judge responded, in what we can now consider to be an historical moment for forensic plant science, “I deam [sic] this witness to be qualified as an expert” ( ). Koehler subsequently went on in the trial to demonstrate how the wood of the ladder, beyond any doubt, linked Hauptmann directly to the crime. The ladder was a unique design, homemade, and in 3 parts that could be disassembled to fit in a car. Koehler presented three kinds of information from his study of the ladder - 1) identification of the wood used, 2) physical marks left by tools on the wood, and 3) comparisons of the wood structure. He was able to determine that the wood used in the ladder was of four kinds: douglas fir ( (Mirb.) Franco), 2 types of pine ( Dougl. ex Laws. and Mill., or a close species, commonly called yellow pine) and birch ( sp., probably L.) used for the connecting dowels. In making the identifications he saw the characteristic presence in pine of very thin epithelial cells lining the resin canals, while in douglas fir he distinguished characteristic thick-walled cells lining the canals and faint spiral markings along the length of the tracheids (Fig. 1). The wood of the top left rail had clearly been used before. It had been sawn away from a bigger piece and there were nail holes present made by old-fashioned square-headed nails. Koehler alerted authorities to look for a missing board in any place connected with a future suspect. Remarkably, Koehler using scarcely visible planer markings was able to trace the some of the pine back to its original mill source in McCormick, South Carolina and then forward to the National Lumber and Millwork Co. in the Bronx, NY just 10 blocks from Hauptmann’s home. This was prior to Hauptmann’s arrest after passing a bill from the ransom money. A week after the arrest, police realized that one of the floor boards in Hauptmann’s attic had been partly cut away. Koehler was able to show in the trial that the attic board and the ladder rail had once been a single board by the exact match of annual rings (Fig. 2) and importantly, he demonstrated that patterns of annual rings are unique so that no other random board would have an absolutely identical pattern, just as today we demonstrate that portions of our DNA are unique to each individual. The wood anatomical evidence ultimately was one of the most incriminating and unshakable pieces of evidence that led to Hauptmann’s conviction and eventual electrocution for the kidnapping ( ). Since that trial, what is termed forensic botany, or the use of plant remains to help solve crimes or other legal problems, has been widely accepted as valid scientific evidence by the courts. If the wildly popular televison crime shows like CSI, Law and Order, Cold Case, and many others reflect to some degree how real life detective work proceeds, then plants are now beginning to play an increasing role in solving crimes. In February this year in a TV episode of “Bones”, one of the forensic anthropologists finds part of an ear bitten off the killer of a young woman. On the ear is ear wax within which pollen is embedded. As the story continues, the pollen is identified as a species of the grass genus Eragrostis, a species said to grow only in South Africa, and this leads the scientists to a suspect who has just come from there. I comment further on this story later, but the point here is that although this particular case is fiction, plants or parts of plants can provide significant supporting, sometimes, crucial evidence in solving crimes. The reasons for this are several: 1) plant remains can be found almost everywhere; 2) they offer multiple sources of evidence, both macroscopic and microscopic, such as pieces of wood, (even as charcoal), seeds, fruits, leaves, twigs, plant hairs, microscopic air-borne pollen and spores, or in aquatic environments, algal cells; 3) their morphological diversity allows us to identify them and from the identification gather other useful information such as the season or geographical location in which a crime took place, whether a body has been moved following a murder; if a body is buried, how long it has been buried, and whether a suspect was present at the crime scene. Pollen and spores, in particular, have all the useful characters just mentioned. Being widespread in nature in the air and on most surfaces, we breathe them into our lungs and they stick to our clothes. Pollen and spore exines are amazingly diverse, sometimes even to the species level, and their production is generally seasonally and often geographically restricted, thus their presence can point to a specific season, sometimes even a specific location, in which a crime was committed ( ). There are many published examples of pollen morphology among related families or within families or genera that illustrate this diversity and consequently their usefulness as trace evidence (e.g. ; ; ; ; Fig. 3). In addition, they have other advantages. They are slow to decay; pollen can be retrieved from rocks millions of years old, a valuable asset for oil companies and archeologists. Because they are microscopic, they remain unseen, silent witnesses and even if they were visible, unlike fingerprints, they would be nearly impossible to eliminate from a crime scene. A recent example from New Zealand illustrates how pollen as trace evidence was used to solve a crime ( ). In Christchurch in 1997, a young woman was grabbed, pulled into an alleyway, and raped. Although shaken, she was able to describe the assailant and shortly after a man matching her description was arrested. The suspect admitted being in the area and noticing this woman, who seemed a little distressed, he said he stopped to ask her if she was OK. Now, he claimed, she must be putting his face on the face of the rapist, because he had not been in the alleyway. There was no DNA evidence, but the police noted dirt-stains on his clothes. These, he said, came from his yard where he was working on his car. The alleyway where the crime occurred was lined along one side by a row of low flowering shrubs of wormwood, L. a Mediterranean native. The shrubs had been broken and flattened during the struggle that led up to the rape. The suspect’s clothes with the dirt stains were sent for analysis together with a comparative sample of soil from the crime scene to the forensic palynology laboratory of the New Zealand Geological Survey. The soil sample was dominated, as might be expected by pollen of (77%), much of it occurring in clumps, indicating the source was at the scene and had not merely blown in. The pollen of this genus has a distinctive, echinate (spiny), very thick-walled exine. There was a mix of mix of fresh pollen and somewhat older, darker colored grains, as well as an unusual large, thick-walled fungal spore in the soil sample, and other spore and pollen types in very low percentages. The same pollen dominated the clothing sample (53%), again occurring mainly in clumps, in a mix of fresh and older grains, and the same thick-walled fungal spore type was abundant. The percentage of was so high that the only explanation was that the clothing was in direct, forceful contact with an plant. Investigators searched for wormwood near the suspect’s home, and other places he visited but found none. The species is not common in New Zealand, being only occasionally planted in gardens. The forensic laboratory had processed over 1000 pollen samples from many localities in New Zealand and never found in more than a trace amount, so the chances of finding large amounts were statistically 1 in 1000, but in actual fact, chances were certainly much lower. The fungal spores were also rare. This pollen and spore evidence was presented at the trial, the suspect was convicted, and was given an 8 year prison sentence. Similar comparative pollen evidence led to conviction of a murder suspect in northern Australia ( ), and in a civil case where pollen intake to a gasoline line was cited as the cause of a fatal plane crash, pollen provided important evidence negating the claim ( ). Returning to the use of plants in crime TV shows, and specifically the finding of Eragrostis grass pollen in ear wax that led to a suspect, the science of this story presents a bit of a problem. Although many plant groups have spectacular pollen morphology, not all pollen is remarkable structurally and sadly the pollen of grasses, one of the most common and widespread plant families in the world, is nearly as feature-less as a ping-pong ball, so it would have been impossible to identify an Eragrostis plant to genus or species and pinpoint the geographical source based on pollen (Fig. 4). An interesting exception in the pollen of grasses is cultivated corn which has extremely large pollen, ca. 100um in diameter, compared with a more average pollen diameter of ca. 35um.. Seeds and fruits, like pollen, very often give away their identity by their specialized features, especially if they are provided with hooks or barbs. These structures have evolved to aid in dispersing progeny away from competition with the parent plant and are very effective in their role, as anyone who has walked through a field in summer or fall has experienced. In 1997 in Ohio, I was called by the sheriff’s department of Champaign Co. near Columbus, Ohio to identify some seeds (actually single-seeded fruits) associated with the murder of two children. The children were found buried in an area at the shady wooded margin of a local cemetery not long after they were reported missing by the stepfather. He soon became a suspect. I identified the seeds as from Geum canadense Jacq. (or possibly Geum aleppicum Jacq. with very similar fruits), commonly known as avens, in the Rosaceae and from Galium aparine L., bedstraw, in the Rubiaceae, species of shaded to partly sunny places in dry to moist somewhat disturbed woodlands (Fig. 5). The seeds had been removed from a blanket and the stepfather’s clothing recovered at his house. He claimed the seeds came from his small farmyard, but neither plant occurred in his open weedy yard, nor would they have been expected there. Both species were found at the gravesite. The seed evidence linked the suspect to a wooded area such as that of the gravesite and was part of the evidence introduced at the trial (State of Ohio vs. Kevin Neal, 2000). He was convicted of the two murders and is now serving two life sentences. Similar investigations employing seed evidence from crime scenes have been reported by Lipscomb and Diggs (1998) and in a case investigated by David Hall, summarized at . Botanical trace evidence is also obtained from plant cells found in gastric contents. Many of the common foods we eat contain seeds or other plant parts with specialized cells having thick walls of cellulose and lignin. Because these materials do not digest or digest only slowly they can be present in partially digested stomach contents or excreted in feces, and are often able to be identified in degraded form ( ). It is sometimes possible to determine components of a victim’s last meal which, in turn, can provide clues to the setting or timing of death. In a particularly tragic case in London in 2001, partially digested plant material even gave a clue to the victim’s homeland and suggested a reason for his death. The case began in September, 2001, when the torso, minus limbs and head, of a young boy 4-7 years in age was found in the Thames River. There was little to use for identification based on standard techniques and there were no corresponding missing child reports. Scotland Yard suspected from the condition of the body, which had been deliberately drained of blood, that they might be dealing with a ritual killing – a human sacrifice. They turned to forensic scientists, including a palynologist and a plant anatomist to look for whatever evidence might give them a lead in the case. DNA suggested the child was West African in origin and the contents of the digestive tract revealed alder (Alnus) pollen, a tree native to northern Europe, and was an indication that the child had been in England in the days prior to his death. Of greatest interest was the presence in the stomach and intestines of an unusual assortment of small mineral pieces, clay pellets embedded with minute gold particles, and the remains of some type of bean seed. The anatomy of seeds in some plant families, including the legumes (Fabaceae), the mustards (Brassicaceae), and the tomato-potato family (Solanaceae), is quite distinctive and can even be species-specific in some taxa. By comparing seed coat anatomy from the stomach contents of the boy, the seeds were closely matched by a plant anatomist at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew to a highly poisonous legume from West Africa, the Calabar bean ( Balf.). Anatomical recognition of legume seeds is possible because the outermost cells of the seed coat consist of a diagnostic palisade layer in which the cells are typically narrow, elongate, and very thick-walled. It is the heavy walls that make them resistant to quick dissolution. The next deeper layer also can be quite diverse and help in narrowing an identification. The presence of Calabar beans in this case, mixed with the other unusual items in the stomach, suggested the child had been given a toxic paralytic voodoo potion. This finding pointed, like the DNA, to areas of West Africa, like Nigeria, where witchcraft is known to be practised still, and it supported the idea that the child had been a human sacrifice. Further investigations, using bone chemistry, narrowed the home of the boy to an area near Benin, Nigeria, where Calabar bean is native and where animal, and rarely human, sacrifice is performed. Thus far, no one has been arrested for the murder but as part of the investigation, a ring trafficking in people from Africa into Great Britain and Germany was uncovered and shut-down and 21 people involved were arrested, including the man who brought the child from Africa (The Guardian 2004; see also National Geographic Channel presentation, “The Witchcraft Murder”, 13 Feb 2005). Today the fastest growing component of botanical evidence in forensics is molecular evidence. We are in early stages of this type of plant trace evidence. The first instance in which data from plant DNA was accepted as admissible evidence in a criminal case was in Arizona in 1992. In that case, State of Arizona vs. Bogan, a young woman was murdered and her body dumped in the desert. The suspect was taken into custody after his pager was found near the site. He claimed he had given the woman a ride and that she had stolen his wallet and pager from his truck. A member of the Maricopa Co. investigating team, Charles Norton, happened to notice that one of the palo verde trees (Parkinsonia microphylla Torr.) at the scene was freshly scraped, possibly by the murder’s vehicle. On an impulse he picked some seed pods hanging from the tree; later, the same kind of pods were found loose in the open truck bed of Bogan’s truck and Norton, knowing that DNA could identify human individuals, thought perhaps the pods could be linked by their DNA to the tree at the crime scene. Dr. Tim Helentjaris, a geneticist at the University of Arizona agreed to try. Using RAPDs (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) to produce profiles of visualized DNA fragments- a kind of ‘fingerprint’ of individuals being studied, he was able to match the DNA from the 2 seed pods found in the truck to the seed pods collected from the tree at the scene and only to that tree. This was because the palo verde trees had an exceptionally high degree of intraspecific genetic variation (Yoon 1993). The truck, if not the suspect, had definitely been at the site. The jurors agreed Helentjaris’s findings were very influential in their decision to find Bogan guilty of first degree murder. In recent plant DNA research, botanists at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia have produced a prototype identification system for grasses based on DNA, a kind of molecular taxonomic key (Ward et al. 2004). Although grass pollen is not generally helpful in forensics, other parts of grasses like seeds and stem or leaf fragments can be a good source of DNA and because grasses are among the most likely plants to be encountered as trace evidence, a means of identification would be a valuable tool. In their study, using primers designed for the purpose, they sequenced parts of the mitochondrial genome that were representative of subfamily, tribe and genus ranks within a test set of 20 samples. These were then used to identify 25 unknown grass samples in a blind test. With more complete representation, the possibility of identification of many more kinds of grasses by molecular means seems to be within reach. It is unfortunate that in this country, botanical trace evidence is still poorly integrated into crime scene analyses, in spite of its potential in many situations. In 1990, a survey of 30 of the largest forensic laboratories in the United States found that only 2 knew pollen could be used as a forensic tool ( ). This figure has not risen significantly in the past 16 years even though criminal investigations are becoming more sophisticated in treating other aspects of trace evidence (Bryant and Jones in press). In great part, the failure to incorporate botanical evidence in investigations is due to lack of knowledge about plants by personnel who study crime scenes and so fail to collect it. The FBI’s 2003 Handbook of Forensic Services ( ) mentions the usefulness of wood and cotton fibers and explains how these should be submitted for examination, but refers to no other kind of supporting plant evidence. Unless plant parts are conspicuously evident, samples of plant materials are not standardly taken, nor are specialists brought in to record critical observations of vegetation that could yield credible evidence. The assessment of plant evidence requires welltrained specialists and frequently also access to extensive reference collections. Today, specialists in plant systematics, plant anatomy and morphology, and palynology are relatively few in number, and aging, and younger replacements are increasingly rare. The balance in plant science research has tipped so heavily toward molecular-based research that students interested in whole plant-based studies find fewer and fewer relevant botany courses available at universities, little research support at the graduate level, and few job opportunities. The value of botanical trace evidence in criminal and civil cases has been clearly demonstrated and is accepted by the courts. Justice can now only be more fully served when law enforcement agencies and other relevant groups recognize and take full advantage of its utility and open employment opportunities for botanically trained investigators. Academic institutions, for their part, must once more appreciate the value of providing well-rounded instruction in botany within their undergraduate biological programs. Bock, J. H., M. A. Lane, D. O. Norris. 1988. Identifying Plant Food Cells in Gastric Contents for Use in Forensic Investigations: A Laboratory Manual. U. S. Dept. of Justice, National Institute of Justice Research Report, January 1988. Bruce, R. G. and M. E. Dettmann. 1996. Palynological analyses of Australian surface soils and their potential in forensic science. Forensic Science International 81: 77- 94. Bryant, V. M., Jr. and G. D. Jones. 2006. Forensic palynology: current status of a rarely used technique in the United States of America. Forensic Science International: in press. Bryant, V. M., Jr. and D. C. Mildenhall. 1990. Forensic palynology in the United States of America. Palynology 14: 193-208. Graham, A. 1997. Forensic palynology and the Ruidoso, New Mexico plane crash – the pollen evidence II. In: Graham, A. Symposium Ed., Forensic Chemistry, Soil Analysis, Entomology, Botany, Palynology, and other Aspects of Non-genetic-marker Biology. Journal of Forensic Sciences 42: 391-393. Graham, A. and G. Barker. 1981. Palynology and tribal classification in the Caesalpinioideae, Pp 801-834 in: R. M. Polhill and Peter Raven, Eds., Advances in Legume Systematics. HMSO, London. Graham, S. 1997. Anatomy of the Lindbergh kidnapping. Journal of Forensic Sciences 42: 368-377. Lipscomb, B. L. and G. M. Diggs, Jr. 1998. The use of animal-dispersed seeds and fruits in forensic botany. SIDA 18: 335-346. Mildenhall, D. 1998. It takes just a few specks of dust and you are caught. Canadian Association of Palynologists Newsletter 21: 18-21. Milne, Lynn. 2005. A Grain of Truth. How Pollen Brought a Murderer to Justice. Reed New Holland Publ., Sydney, Australia. The Guardian. 2004. Jail for torso case people smuggler. 27 Jul 2004. United Kingdom. Nowicke, J. W. and J. J. Skvarla. 1977. Pollen morphology and the relationship of the Plumbaginaceae, Polygonaceae, and Primulaceae to the order Centrospermae. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 37: 1-64. Patel, V. C., J. J. Skvarla, and P. H. Raven. 1984. Pollen characters in relation to the delimitation of Myrtales. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 71: 858-969. Pope, F. State of New Jersey vs. Bruno Richard Hauptmann, Trial transcript, 1935: 3796. Szibor, R., C. Schubert, R. Schöning, D. Krause, and U. Wendt. 1998. Pollen analysis reveals murder season. Nature 395: 449-450. Trenchard, T. W. State of New Jersey vs. Bruno Richard Hauptmann, Trial transcript, 1935: 3805. Ward, J., R. Peakall, S. R. Gilmore, and J. Robertson. 2005. A molecular identification system for grasses: a novel technology for forensic botany. Forensic Science International 152: 121-131. Yoon, C. K. 1993. Botanical witness for the prosecution. Science 260: 894-895. " was supplied by Dr. Shirley Graham, Missouri Botanical Garden, and is .   --> » » --> »    BOTANY BLOGS     » Uncommon Ground » The Phytophactor » Active Visual Learning » Moss Plants and More » No seeds, no fruits, no flowers: no problem. » A Wandering Botanist » Phytophilia    IDEAS WORTH SPREADING (TED)     » The hidden beauty of pollination » The roots of plant intelligence » Why we're storing billions of seeds » Nalini Nadkarni on conserving the canopy » Why can't we grow new energy? » World's oldest living things   FEATURED BSA RESOURCES    STUDENTS' CORNER » Why should you join the Society as a student? » NEW MEMBERS - Connecting with the BSA Careers in Botany » POSITIONS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE » Post a Position » Some Careers Ideas     • An Adventure - this is my job!     • International Journey to a Botany Career     • Botany as a career: Still having fun » BOTANY - the students' perspective     • Tanya, University of California     • Patricia, University of Washington     • Cheng-Chiang, Harvard University     • Uromi, Yale University Copyright © 2024 The Botanical Society of America. 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110 · Voice: 314-577-9566 · FAX: 314-558-9184 · Email: [email protected] 299+ Forensic Science Research Topics (Updated 2024) Welcome to the world of Forensic Science Research Topics. Get ready to dive into a treasure of fascinating ideas that crack the mysteries behind crime-solving techniques. This year’s collection spans 15 stunning categories, each including 20 engaging topics. From DNA Analysis uncovering secrets in genes to Ballistics & Firearms exploring the science behind bullets, these categories open doors to understanding how science solves puzzling cases. Cyber Forensics delves into the digital world of crime, while Forensic Anthropology examines the stories hidden within skeletal remains. Explore Toxicology & Drug Analysis, diving into the science of poisons and medications, or journey into Wildlife Forensics, where nature meets investigation. Uncover the secrets of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis or delve into the linguistic clues in Forensic Linguistics. Join us as we uncover the mysteries, piece by piece, and go on a thrilling journey into the captivating realm of Forensic Science Research for the year 2024. Get top-notch solutions, unravel complex concepts, and ace your assignments  with our . Let our expert guidance transform your learning journey today! Top 5 Applications of Forensic Science Table of Contents Forensic science stands as a crucial pillar in solving mysteries within the kingdoms of crime and justice. It includes various scientific disciplines applied to legal matters, providing key insights that aid investigations and legal proceedings. This multidisciplinary field plays a crucial role in solving crimes, identifying culprits, and bringing closure to victims’ families. Here are the top 5 applications of Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) : Forensic science’s foundation involves detailed examination of crime scenes. It encompasses evidence collection, analysis of fingerprints, bloodstains, fibers, and other trace evidence. This critical process helps reconstruct the sequence of events leading to a crime. DNA Analysis : The advancement in DNA technology has revolutionized forensic science. DNA analysis helps identify individuals, link suspects to crime scenes, and exonerate innocent parties. It’s a powerful tool in criminal investigations and solving cold cases. Toxicology & Drug Analysis : Forensic toxicology focuses on detecting drugs, poisons, or toxins in the body. It’s instrumental in determining causes of death or establishing impairment due to substances. Ballistics & Firearms Analysis : This branch involves studying firearms, bullets, and cartridge cases. It assists in linking weapons to crimes, identifying shooting distances, and determining trajectories. Digital Evidence Examination : In the digital age, forensic science extends into cyberspace. Experts analyze digital devices and data to recover, interpret, and present evidence pertinent to cybercrimes. These five applications showcase how forensic science’s diverse toolkit and methodologies are instrumental in solving crimes, offering justice, and ensuring a safer society. Top 299+ Forensic Science Research Topics Now, join us in exploring these thought-provoking themes and be part of the thrilling journey where every clue leads to a new revelation in the field of forensic research. Let us start. Top 20 Research Topics For DNA Analysis Advances in Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies Application of DNA Phenotyping in Criminal Investigations Forensic Use of Microbial DNA Analysis Ethical Implications of DNA Data Sharing Rapid DNA Testing in Law Enforcement Epigenetics and Its Role in DNA Analysis DNA Methylation as an Age Estimation Tool Familial DNA Searching in Cold Cases Forensic Application of CRISPR Technology Mitochondrial DNA Analysis in Identification DNA Barcoding for Species Identification DNA Preservation Techniques in Forensics Y-Chromosome Analysis for Lineage Tracing Population Genetics and DNA Variation Studies Role of Artificial Intelligence in DNA Analysis DNA Damage and Repair Mechanisms Forensic Genealogy and Genetic Genealogy Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis in Forensics Forensic Interpretation of DNA Markers Comparative Genomics in Forensic DNA Analysis Top 20 Research Topics For Cyber Forensics Cybercrime Investigation Techniques Network Traffic Analysis in Digital Forensics Malware Analysis and Forensic Examination Internet of Things (IoT) Forensics Cloud Forensics and Data Recovery Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysis Incident Response and Readiness in Cyber Forensic Social Media Forensic Analysis Steganography Detection and Analysis Cryptocurrency Forensics Mobile Device Forensics Digital Evidence Collection and Preservation Network Intrusion Detection and Analysis Email Header and Content Examination Cyber Forensics in Financial Crimes Digital Forensic Challenges in Cloud Computing Live Data Acquisition and Analysis IoT Device Security and Forensics Cyber Forensics in Industrial Control Systems Anti-Forensic Techniques and Countermeasures Top 20 Research Topics For Forensic Anthropology Skeletal Trauma Analysis in Forensics Age Estimation Methods from Skeletal Remains Forensic Facial Reconstruction Techniques Skeletal Identification Procedures Forensic Taphonomy Studies Bone Histology in Forensic Investigations Forensic Anthropology in Mass Disasters Skeletal Analysis for Ancestry Determination Skeletal Pathology and Disease Identification Entomology in Forensic Anthropology Postmortem Interval Estimation from Skeletal Markers Burned and Fragmentary Remains Analysis Forensic Anthropology in Child Abuse Cases Human Rights and Forensic Anthropology Forensic Facial Approximation Methods Bioarchaeology and Cultural Forensic Anthropology Skeletal Stature and Body Mass Estimation Forensic Anthropology in War Crimes Investigations Skeletal DNA Analysis in Identification Skeletal Patterning in Trauma Analysis Top 20 Research Topics For Ballistics & Firearms Firearm Examination and Toolmark Analysis Gunshot Residue Analysis Techniques Bullet Trajectory Reconstruction Methods Forensic Ballistics in Crime Scene Reconstruction Firearms Identification Procedures Terminal Ballistics and Wound Analysis Cartridge Case Examination and Comparison Striation Analysis in Bullet and Barrel Matching Bullet Penetration and Damage Studies Firearm Serial Number Restoration Techniques Gunshot Acoustics and Audio Forensics Firearm Modification Analysis Forensic Analysis of Ammunition Types Forensic Ballistics in Shooting Incident Reconstructions Shotgun Pattern Analysis Methods Bullet Fragment Analysis Techniques Distance Determination in Shooting Cases Trajectory Analysis in Vehicle-Involved Shootings Gunshot Residue Collection and Analysis Methods Ballistics and Firearms in Expert Testimony Top 20 Forensic Science Research Topics On Digital Evidence Examination Data Recovery and Reconstruction Techniques File System Forensics Mobile App Forensic Analysis Internet History and Browsing Analysis Cloud Storage Forensics Metadata Analysis in Digital Evidence Deleted File Recovery and Interpretation Social Media Forensics IoT Device Forensic Analysis Network Packet Capture and Analysis Timestamp Analysis in Digital Evidence Malware Analysis and Behavior Examination Database Forensics GPS and Geolocation Data Forensics Steganalysis and Hidden Data Detection Memory Forensics and RAM Analysis Artifact Extraction from Operating Systems Wearable Technology Forensic Analysis Top 20 Research Topics For Toxicology & Drug Analysis Emerging Drug Trends and Novel Psychoactive Substances Forensic Analysis of Opioids and Overdose Deaths Designer Drugs Identification and Analysis Postmortem Toxicology in Fatalities Drug-Facilitated Crimes Analysis Workplace Drug Testing Methods Forensic Toxicology in Sports Doping Analytical Techniques in Drug Detection Toxicology of Prescription Medications Herbal and Natural Product Toxicology Hair Analysis in Drug Detection Forensic Toxicology and Environmental Exposure Toxicological Analysis in Poisoning Cases Analytical Chemistry in Toxicological Studies Alcohol Biomarkers and Analysis Forensic Toxicology and Forensic Pathology Collaboration Forensic Toxicology in Criminal Investigations Forensic Toxicology and Age Estimation Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Cases Forensic Toxicology and Public Health Impact Top 20 Forensic Science Research Topics On Wildlife Forensics Illegal Wildlife Trade Analysis DNA Forensics in Wildlife Crime Investigations Forensic Identification of Endangered Species Wildlife Product Trafficking Investigations Forensic Analysis of Poaching Incidents Species Identification using Forensic Techniques Forensic Entomology in Wildlife Crime Scenes Forensic Anthropology in Wildlife Investigations Timber Trafficking Forensics Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics Forensic Odontology in Wildlife Crime Cases Trace Evidence Analysis in Wildlife Crime Forensic Ballistics in Wildlife Poaching Forensic Examination of Fishing and Hunting Gear Forensic Imaging and Photography in Wildlife Forensics Wildlife DNA Database Development Forensic Botany and Plant DNA in Wildlife Investigations Forensic Veterinary Pathology in Wildlife Cases Wildlife Forensics and International Law Enforcement Wildlife Trafficking Routes Analysis Top 20 Research Topics For Forensic Accounting Financial Statement Fraud Examination Money Laundering Investigations Forensic Analysis of Corporate Fraud Forensic Audit Techniques Asset Misappropriation Investigations Tax Evasion and Fraud Analysis Digital Forensics in Financial Investigations Investigative Accounting in Bankruptcy Cases Forensic Accounting in Divorce Proceedings Forensic Accounting in Insurance Claims Fraudulent Financial Reporting Analysis Bribery and Corruption Investigations Forensic Accounting in Nonprofit Organizations Business Valuation in Forensic Accounting Forensic Accounting and Economic Damages Calculation Investigating Embezzlement Cases Forensic Accounting in Government Agencies Forensic Accounting in Investment Fraud Forensic Accounting Ethics and Standards Forensic Accounting in Risk Management Top 20 Forensic Science Research Topics On Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Impact Angle Determination in Bloodstain Analysis Bloodstain Pattern Classification Methods Spatter vs. Transfer Bloodstain Analysis Low-Velocity Bloodstain Patterns High-Velocity Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Area of Convergence and Area of Origin Calculation Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Shooting Incidents Void Patterns in Bloodstain Analysis Cast-off Bloodstain Analysis Saturation and Dilution Analysis in Bloodstains Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Assault Cases Swiping and Wiping Bloodstain Patterns Bloodstain Pattern Documentation Techniques Altered Bloodstain Patterns and Their Analysis Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Crime Scene Reconstruction Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Textiles and Fabrics Spine and Travel Analysis in Bloodstain Patterns Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Homicide Investigations Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Accidental Injuries Impact Spatter Analysis in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Top 20 Research Topics For Forensic Pathology Postmortem Interval Estimation Methods Cause of Death Determination Techniques Forensic Autopsy Procedures Blunt Force Trauma Analysis Sharp Force Injuries Examination Gunshot Wound Examination in Forensic Pathology Forensic Toxicology in Autopsy Analysis Thermal Injury and Burns Examination Asphyxiation and Suffocation Investigations Decompositional Changes in Forensic Pathology Forensic Pathology and Child Abuse Cases Forensic Anthropology in Autopsy Investigations Electrical and Lightning Injury Analysis Drowning and Water-related Deaths in Forensic Pathology Forensic Pathology and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Forensic Pathology in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases Forensic Pathology in Mass Fatality Incidents Forensic Pathology and Forensic Odontology Collaboration Forensic Pathology and Infectious Disease Investigations Forensic Pathology and Forensic Psychiatry Interface Top 20 Forensic Science Research Topics On Forensic Odontology Bite Mark Analysis and Interpretation Dental Identification Techniques Forensic Radiography in Odontology Age Estimation from Dental Development Forensic Odontology in Mass Disasters Human Identification using Dental Records Bite Mark Analysis in Criminal Investigations Dental Impressions and Evidence Collection Bite Mark Comparison Methods Forensic Odontology in Child Abuse Cases Dental Evidence in Bite Injury Cases Forensic Bite Mark Photography Techniques Dental Morphology and Identification Forensic Odontology and Patterned Injury Analysis Dental Forensics and Bite Mark Validation Dental DNA Analysis in Forensic Odontology Bite Mark Analysis in Sexual Assault Cases Forensic Odontology in Age Estimation Dental Prosthetics in Forensic Identification Bite Mark Analysis and Courtroom Testimony Top 20 Research Topics For Forensic Linguistics Authorship Identification in Textual Analysis Forensic Stylistics and Writing Analysis Threat Assessment and Textual Analysis Linguistic Profiling in Criminal Investigations Voice Identification and Speaker Profiling Deception Detection through Linguistic Analysis Forensic Discourse Analysis Linguistic Analysis of Suicide Notes Comparative Text Analysis in Forensic Linguistics Linguistic Analysis of Ransom Notes Forensic Phonetics and Speaker Identification Linguistic Forensics in Threatening Communication Language Analysis in Hate Speech Investigations Forensic Linguistics in Cyberbullying Cases Verbal Lie Detection Techniques Forensic Linguistics and Anonymous Communication Language Variation Analysis in Legal Contexts Linguistic Profiling in Extortion Cases Forensic Linguistics in Profanity Analysis Linguistic Analysis of Recorded Conversations Top 20 Forensic Science Research Topics On Forensic Entomology Postmortem Interval Estimation using Insects Forensic Use of Blow Flies in Investigations Insect Succession Patterns on Decomposing Bodies Maggot Mass Temperature and Development Analysis Forensic Entomotoxicology (Insects and Toxins) Insect Colonization on Buried Remains Diptera Identification in Forensic Contexts Insect Artifacts on Human Remains Forensic Acarology (Mites and Forensics) Forensic Entomology in Cold Climate Regions Insect Arrival Time and Death Scene Analysis Decomposition Studies on Different Environments Seasonal Variation in Insect Colonization Insect Evidence in Wildlife Forensics Forensic Entomology and Crime Scene Investigation Insect Pupation and Life Cycle Analysis Forensic Use of Beetles and Other Insects Forensic Entomology and Postmortem Changes Insect Species Diversity on Decomposing Remains Insect Evidence Preservation and Collection Techniques Top 20 Research Topics For Forensic Botany Pollen Analysis in Forensic Investigations Vegetation Succession on Decomposing Remains Forensic Palynology and Crime Scene Analysis Plant DNA Profiling in Forensic Botany Phytolith Analysis in Soil Forensics Botanical Traces and Environmental Significance Forensic Use of Algal Evidence Plant Tissue Analysis in Death Investigations Forensic Seed Identification and Analysis Plant-based Toxin Detection in Poisoning Cases Botanical Evidence in Wildlife Crime Investigations Forensic Plant Anatomy and Morphology Plant Ecology as Evidence in Legal Cases Forensic Phytogeography and Geolocation Plant Trace Evidence on Clothing and Tools Forensic Herbal Medicine Analysis Dendrochronology in Forensic Botany Forensic Plant Pathology Forensic Botany and Soil Analysis Plant DNA Barcoding for Species Identification Top 20 Forensic Science Research Topics On Psychology False Memory Formation and Witness Testimony Investigative Interviewing Techniques Psychological Profiling in Criminal Investigations Eyewitness Identification Accuracy Deception Detection in Forensic Contexts Risk Assessment and Recidivism Prediction Mental Health in Correctional Facilities Psychological Factors in Jury Decision-Making Forensic Assessment of Competency to Stand Trial Rehabilitation Programs for Offenders Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Forensic Psychology in Child Custody Cases Behavioral Analysis in Criminal Profiling Mental Health and Criminal Responsibility Psychological Effects of Crime on Victims Psychopathy and Antisocial Behavior Juvenile Offenders and Intervention Strategies Forensic Neuropsychology and Brain Imaging Forensic Assessment of Risk in Violent Offenders Witness Credibility and Memory Distortion Exploring the world of Forensic Science has been a thrilling journey through mysteries and discoveries. With more than 299 forensic science research topics, we’ve uncovered the secrets behind DNA, cyber mysteries, bones, and much more. From decoding crimes with linguistics to unraveling wildlife mysteries, every category held its own treasure of knowledge.  Remember, these topics aren’t just for experts, they invite everyone to dive into the fascinating world of crime-solving science. As we conclude this adventure, let these topics inspire curiosity and understanding in unraveling the secrets of the forensic world in 2024 and beyond. Related Posts Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser . Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. We're Hiring! Help Center The Role of Forensic Botany in Crime Scene Investigation: Case Report and Review of Literature 2014, Journal of Forensic Sciences Related Papers Ciro Di Nunzio , Isabella Aquila , Arianna Serra Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Mario Gabbrielli , Gabriele Margiotta Mohammed Abdullah Consuelo Rodriguez , Pier Paolo Mariani The Forensic Laboratory Handbook Ashraf Mozayani Anil Aggrawal Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Anil Aggrawal Katija Dolina The South American species Nicotiana glauca Graham (Solanaceae) is invasive in the western Mediterranean and has been found for the first time at four localities in Croatia. The first locality was discovered in 1977 on the island of Lokrum, but has previously been neglected, the second in Komi`a on the island of Vis, the third in the city of Split and the fourth in the city of Dubrovnik. The newly discovered N. glauca is a woody perennial species, while two other Nicotiana species occurring in Croatian, N. tabacum L. and N. rustica L., are annual herbs. An identification key for these three species and their morphological comparison is presented. The further spreading of N. glauca in Croatian littoral can be expected, and should be prevented. Fatma Deniz Uzuner Maria Sarika , Maria Panitsa Kirti Sharma Forensic palynology is an important tool for obtaining trace evidence from victims, suspects, items related with a crime scene, or for determining the location of a sample. This discipline has been used in court and have provided evidence for contact of objects and places, location of disposed human body remains and graves, estimating times of deposition of bodies, determine primary crime scene and secondary crime scene. Palynology involves the identification pollen, plant spores, and fungal spores It is important for its ability to provide information about pollen and spores trapped in clothing or other items of interest needed to help resolve criminal and civil cases, including instances of homicide, terrorism, bombings, forgery, theft, rape, arson, counterfeiting, manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs, assault, cases of hit and run, poaching, and identity theft. The use of pollen in forensic applications comes from the discipline of pollen analysis, which began a century ago as a way to search for clues about past environmental changes. In this paper we are discuss about pollen grains which are help in the crime investigation by collecting from different types of trace evidence. Loading Preview Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. RELATED PAPERS carlos antonelli drkalpesh zanzrukiya Alison Kemp Rishav Shrestha Alexey Seregin Kingsley Mecha , Patricia E J Wiltshire Abhishek pathak Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Marwa M Fawzi Kamil Hakan Dogan Croatian medical journal Snjezana Stambuk , Davorka Sutlović , Sandra Petričević Emily A Norton , Paul Cheetham Oral presentation at the 56th American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, Dallas-TX Giuseppe Merlati Journal of Environmental Biology Salih Gucel Journal of Plant Research John Hunter Scholar Science Journals Kamel Khalil , Patricia E J Wiltshire , Vaughn Bryant Forensic Science International Vaughn Bryant , Patricia E J Wiltshire Vaughn Bryant Alexey Seregin , Alexander Fateryga Sophia Rhizopoulou Biological Invasions PINELOPI DELIPETROU Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine Niamh NicDaéid Methods in Molecular Biology Mary Ashley Acta Botanica Gallica Marcin Nobis , Renata Piwowarczyk , Joanna Zalewska-gałosz Franz Neuhuber Acta Botanica Hungarica Deák Balázs , O. Valko Laura Celesti-Grapow Milan Chytrý Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Krzysztof Marycz Antonino De Natale , Antonino Pollio Fabiana Scarso Giaconi Zdenek Kaplan Aggression and Violent Behavior Melanie-Angela Neuilly Marius Fagaras RELATED TOPICS   We're Hiring!   Help Center Find new research papers in: Health Sciences Earth Sciences Cognitive Science Mathematics Computer Science Academia ©2024 327 COMMENTS Using plants in forensics: State-of-the-art and prospects 1. Introduction. The forensically frameable use of plants and their derivatives has been done since prehistorical times (Borgia et al., 2017).Forensic Botany has been recognized since the mid-1900 s when Arthur Koehler showed wood evidence in court during the session of the Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping case (Coyle et al., 2001).The kingdom Plantae comprises nearly 400,000 species, with ... (PDF) Contributions and Current Trends of Forensic Botany in Crime Abstract and Figures. Forensic botany is the field of science that applies the knowledge, techniques, and study of plant science to legal matters. The term forensic botany proves that plants can ... Forensic botany: who?, how?, where?, when? 1.2. Forensic botany and botanical evidence. Forensic botany is an interdisciplinary science that combines an array of disciplines concerned with plant and fungal materials [2], [13].The application of this field within forensic science is rooted an in-depth understanding of flora (i.e., anatomy and physiology), as well as a broad knowledge of, among others, environmental biology, ecology ... Using plants in forensics: State-of-the-art and prospects The increasing use of plant evidence in forensic investigations gave rise to a powerful new discipline - Forensic Botany - that analyses micro- or macroscopic plant materials, such as the totality or fragments of an organ (i.e., leaves, stems, seeds, fruits, roots) and tissue (i.e., pollen grains, spores, fibers, cork) or its chemical composition (i. e., secondary metabolites, isotopes, DNA ... (PDF) Forensic botany: time to embrace natural history collections Forensic botany is a diverse discipline that spans many aspects of plant sciences, particularly taxonomy, field botany, anatomy, and ecology. Internationally, there is a significant opportunity to ... Microbiomes in forensic botany: a review Extensive research of the necrobiome (microorganisms involved in decomposing a body) has been undergone to determine times of deaths ... Di Nunzio C, Serra A, Boca S, Capelli A, et al. The role of forensic botany in crime scene investigation: Case report and review of literature. J Forensic Sci. 2014;59:820-4. Article PubMed Google ... Forensic botany: time to embrace natural history collections, large Forensic botany is a diverse discipline that spans many aspects of plant sciences, particularly taxonomy, field botany, anatomy, and ecology. Internationally, there is a significant opportunity to expand the application of forensic botany in criminal investigations, especially war crimes, genocide, homicide, sexual violence, serious physical assault, illegal trade in endangered species and ... Microbiomes in forensic botany: a review The potential for plant fragment provenance identification at geographic scales meaningful to forensic investigations warrants further investigation of the phyllosphere microbiome in this context. To that end we identify three key areas of future research: 1) Retrieval of microbial DNA of sufficient quality and quantity from botanical material ... Common and much less common scenarios in which botany is ... Forensic botany is the applied scientific discipline that regards the general study of botanical evidence in judicial investigations [1, 2] and includes many sub-disciplines, such as palynology (the study of pollen and spores), dendrochronology (the study of growth rings of tree stems and roots), lichenology (the study of lichens), mycology (the analysis and the identification of fungi) and ... DNA-Based Analysis of Plant Material in Forensic Investigations Forensic Botany, A Practical Guide is a collection of ten chapters that ... interpretation, and reporting. More generally, the OSAC has also developed standards and guidelines covering topics including minimum general molecular biology laboratory standards (evidence handling, training, and DNA procedures; ANSI/ASB 019 and 048), validating STRs ... Evaluation of plant seed DNA and botanical evidence for potential The application of seed DNA in forensic science. A forensic scientist's most important work is to find a piece of potential evidence for crime scene investigation and solving a crime. Ingested food is one of the important roles of forensic evidence obtained during crime scene investigation or medicolegal autopsy. Using plants in forensics: State-of-the-art and prospects The increasing use of plant evidence in forensic investigations gave rise to a powerful new discipline - Forensic Botany - that analyses micro- or macroscopic plant materials, such as the totality or fragments of an organ (i.e., leaves, stems, seeds, fruits, roots) and tissue (i.e., pollen grains, spores, fibers, cork) or its chemical composition (i. e., secondary metabolites, isotopes, DNA ... The Role of Forensic Botany in Crime Scene Investigation: Case Report Forensic botany can provide significant supporting evidences during criminal investigations. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of forensic botany in the crime scene. We reported a case of a woman affected by dementia who had disappeared from nursing care and was found dead near the banks of a river that flowed under a railroad. Forensic botany: who?, how?, where?, when? Forensic botany entails field work, knowledge of plants, understanding ecosystem processes, and a basis understaning of geoscience. In this study, experiments with mammal cadavers were conducted to determine the occurence of an event. The simplest criterion characterising botanical evidence is its size. Therefore, macroremains include whole ... Plant forensics: Cracking criminal cases Forensic botany, otherwise known as plant forensics, is the use of plants in criminal investigations. This includes the analysis of plant and fungal parts, such as leaves, flowers, pollen, seeds, wood, fruit, spores and microbiology, plus plant environments and ecology. The aim is to link plant evidence with a crime, such as placing a suspect ... (PDF) Forensic Botany: Application, Aspects, and Prospects of Plant PDF | On Jan 1, 2005, Kapil Dev and others published Forensic Botany: Application, Aspects, and Prospects of Plant materials in Criminal Investigation" | Find, read and cite all the research you ... Common and much less common scenarios in which botany is crucial for Introduction. Forensic botany is the applied scientific discipline that regards the general study of botanical evidence in judicial investigations [1, 2] and includes many sub-disciplines, such as palynology (the study of pollen and spores), dendrochronology (the study of growth rings of tree stems and roots), lichenology (the study of lichens), mycology (the analysis and the identification of ... Forensic Botany: Evidence and Analysis Forensic botany is the use of plant evidence in matters of law. While plant fragments are often collected as trace evidence, they are only occasionally identified using microscopy and are still more rarely assessed using molecular biology techniques for individualization and sourcing of a sample. There are many different methods useful for DNA ... Crime Scene Botanicals In recent plant DNA research, botanists at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia have produced a prototype identification system for grasses based on DNA, a kind of molecular taxonomic key (Ward et al. 2004). ... The use of animal-dispersed seeds and fruits in forensic botany. SIDA 18: 335-346. Mildenhall, D. 1998. It takes ... (PDF) Forensic botany: species identification of botanical trace Results and discussion Species identification is a basic and very important emerging and underestimated task in forensic botany. In practical terms, forensic botany can present additional information in many forensic cases involving plant evidence that may be useful to link a suspect, a victim, or a vehicle to the crime scene. (PDF) Forensic Botany: An investigative science Forensic botany is the application of plant science to criminal investigation. provide an associative evidence. It. decomposition and time of year. ecology. It is use ful for. graves. If certain ... 299+ Forensic Science Research Topics (Updated 2024) Top 20 Research Topics For DNA Analysis. Advances in Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies. Application of DNA Phenotyping in Criminal Investigations. Forensic Use of Microbial DNA Analysis. Ethical Implications of DNA Data Sharing. Rapid DNA Testing in Law Enforcement. Epigenetics and Its Role in DNA Analysis. (PDF) The Role of Forensic Botany in Crime Scene Investigation: Case Forensic botany can provide significant supporting evidences during criminal investigations. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of forensic botany in the crime scene. We reported a case of a woman affected by dementia who had disappeared from nursing care and was found dead near the banks of a river that flowed under a railroad. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis