Role of Forensic Botany in Crime Scene Investigation: Case Report and Review of Literature

• NCJ Number: 246871
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 820-824
• Author(s): Isabella Aquila M.D.; Francesco Ausania M.D.; Ciro Di Nunzio; Ariana Serra M.D.; Silvia Boca M.D.; Arnaldo Capelli M.D.; Paola Magni Ph.D.; Pietrantonio Ricci M.D.
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Management of a crime is the process of ensuring accurate and effective collection and preservation of physical evidence.

Abstract

Management of a crime is the process of ensuring accurate and effective collection and preservation of physical evidence. 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. Two possible ways of access to crime scene were identified and denominated Path A and Path B. Both types of soil and plants were identified. Botanical survey was performed. Some samples of Xanthium Orientalis subsp. Italicum were identified. The fall of woman resulted in external injuries and vertebral fracture at autopsy. The botanical evidence is important when crime scene and autopsy findings are not sufficient to define the dynamics and the modality of death. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.