NCJ Number
201552
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 48 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2003 Pages: 804-807
Date Published
July 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes a case in which DNA fingerprinting of plant material was used to link criminal suspects to the crime scene.
Abstract
This study introduced the use of DNA fingerprinting of clonal plants, together with phylogenetic and vegetation studies, as a valuable forensic tool in criminal investigations. The crime involved the murder of a man who was last seen with his three former criminal partners in Finland. The three suspects were arrested but there was a lack of evidence connecting them to the crime. However, small pieces of plant material were found on the suspects and in their car. The goal of the DNA fingerprinting was to identify the plant material and see if it matched plants found at the crime scene. The plant material was identified as three types of the bryophyte species. Colonies of all three species were also found at the crime scene. The conclusion was that one of the species found on the suspects likely originated from the crime scene while one additional species suspected of, also originated at the crime scene. References