Pollen on Grass Clippings: Putting the Suspect at the Scene of the Crime

• NCJ Number: 191473
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 947-949
• Author(s): Mark Horrocks Ph.D.; Kevan A. J. Walsh M.Sc.
• Editor(s): Michael A. Peat Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2001
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the use of pollen ad spore analysis in determining whether a suspect had been at the scene of a crime.

Abstract

Forensic palynolgy is the science of deriving evidence for court purposes from pollen and spores. This study reviewed an alleged case of sexual assault where the pollen content of samples of grass clippings and soil from the suspect’s clothing and shoes were compared to a sample of grass clippings from the alleged crime scene determining whether or not the suspect had been at the scene. Results indicated that the sample of grass clippings from the grassy area was dominated by grass pollen (85 percent). A strong correlation was found in the combination of the different types of pollen present between each of the samples from the suspect and with the sample from the grassy area. The presence of grass clippings on the suspect’s clothing and shoes was significant suggesting the suspect had been on the grassy area. The pollen evidence in this case strongly supported the contention that the grass clippings and soil on the suspect’s clothing came from the alleged crime scene. References