Book description
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.
