NCJ Number
199637
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2003 Pages: 62-68
Date Published
March 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article explains how botanical evidence can be useful in the investigation and prosecution of a criminal case.
Abstract
Botanists can identify plants and determine where various types of plants grow. Tracking botanical evidence can help place suspects at a scene or determine time of death. In one case, a botanist worked with a physiologist to identify plant foods in a homicide victim's last meal. The findings linked the victim to a serial killer and a particular salad bar. Another case involved a botanical analysis of water found in the stomach remains of a child, which undermined a mother's explanation of how her child died. When plant material is found on a suspect's clothing, it may be possible to match the plant material to a crime scene that may have a unique combination of plant materials that match those on the suspect's clothing. In any crime scene investigation, investigators should look for samples of vegetation and collect items relevant to the crime. Forensic botanists do not recommend using a police vacuum cleaner to obtain various types of evidence from vehicles, clothing, or blankets. Such a process may damage the form of the plant evidence. Plant material that may be useful as evidence should be collected carefully and in its entirety as found at the crime scene. This will facilitate an accurate and more rapid analysis of the plant material.