Forensic Botany: A Practical Guide is an accessible introduction to the way in which botanical evidence is identified, collected and analysed in criminal cases. Increasingly this form of evidence is becoming more important in forensic investigation and yet there are few trained botanists able to assist in such cases. This book is intended to show how useful simple collection methods and standard plant analysis can be in the course of such investigations and is written in a clear and accessible manner to enhance understanding of the subject for the non-specialist.
Clearly structured throughout, this book combines well known collection techniques in a field oriented format that can be used for casework. Collection of evidence differs from formal plant collection in that most professional plant collectors are gathering entire plants or significant portions of a plant for permanent storage and reference. Evidence frequently consists of fragments, sometimes exceedingly tiny. Exemplars (examples of reference plants) are collections of plants made in the manner a botanist would collect them. These collections are necessary to link or exclude evidence to or from a scene. Various methods that allow easy collection, transportation, and preservation of evidence are detailed throughout the book.
This book is written for those who have no formal background working with plants. It can be used as a practical guide for students taking forensic science courses, law enforcement training, legal courses, and as a template for plant collection at any scene where plants occur and where rules or laws are involved. Veterinarians, various environmental agencies, anthropologists, and archeologists are examples of disciplines that are more recently in need of plant evidence. Veterinarians are becoming more active in pursuing cases of animals that have been abused or are victims of illegal killing. Anthropologists and archeologists are often called to help with body recovery in outdoor environments. Environmental agencies are increasingly forced to adopt rules for resource protection, are in need of a guide for procedures for plant evidence collection and application.
The format of the book is designed to present the reader with all the information needed to conduct a botanical analysis of a crime scene; to highlight the forensic significance of the botanical evidence that may be present; how to collect that evidence in the correct manner and preserve and store that evidence appropriately- also shows how to conduct a laboratory analysis of the plants.
Content:
Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Botany (pages 1โ11): David W. Hall
Chapter 2 Plants as evidence (pages 12โ44): David W. Hall
Chapter 3 Evidence collection and analysis (pages 45โ78): David W. Hall and Jason H. Byrd
Chapter 4 Expert evidence (pages 79โ92): Bernard A. Raum
Chapter 5 Use and guidelines for plant DNA analyses in forensics (pages 93โ106): Matthew A. Gitzendanner
Chapter 6 A primer on forensic microscopy (pages 107โ118): Christopher R. Hardy
Chapter 7 Plant anatomy (pages 119โ126): David W. Hall and William Stern
Chapter 8 Palynology, Pollen, and Spores, Partners in Crime: What, why, and how (pages 127โ144): Anna Sandiford
Chapter 9 Algae in Forensic Investigations (pages 145โ173): Christopher R. Hardy and John R. Wallace
Chapter 10 Case Studies in Forensic Botany (pages 174โ187): David W. Hall