Forensic botany
Okumaya devam et...
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| == Forensic botany == | == Forensic botany == |
| Forensic botany deals with the study of plants, [[Leaf|leaves]], [[seed]]s, and [[pollen]] or plant properties (such as anatomy, growth, behavior, classification, population dynamics, and reproductive cycles) that would be considered as physical evidence.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203484593|title=Forensic Botany|date=2004-09-15|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-203-48459-3|editor-last=Miller Coyle|editor-first=Heather|edition=0|language=en|doi=10.1201/9780203484593}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swetha |date=2020-12-26 |title=Forensic Botany and Its Applications |url=https://legaldesire.com/forensic-botany-and-its-applications/ |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=Legal Desire Media and Insights |language=en-US}}</ref> | Forensic botany is the application of plant science to legal investigations. It involves the study of plant material, such as [[Leaf|leaves]], [[Seed|seeds]], [[pollen]], and other plant properties, to gather evidence that can aid in criminal or civil proceedings.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203484593 |title=Forensic Botany |date=2004-09-15 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-203-48459-3 |editor-last=Miller Coyle |editor-first=Heather |edition=0 |language=en |doi=10.1201/9780203484593}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swetha |date=2020-12-26 |title=Forensic Botany and Its Applications |url=https://legaldesire.com/forensic-botany-and-its-applications/ |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=Legal Desire Media and Insights |language=en-US}}</ref> The identification of plant material is crucial in forensic botany, as it can provide a link between an individual and a crime scene, pinpoint the geographical location of missing bodies, or establish the [[post-mortem interval]] (PMI) of a human skeleton.<ref name="Aquila 2019 920–924">{{Cite journal |last1=Aquila |first1=Isabella |last2=Sacco |first2=Matteo A. |last3=Ricci |first3=Pietrantonio |last4=Gratteri |first4=Santo |date=2019 |title=The Role of Forensic Botany in Reconstructing the Dynamics of Trauma from High Falls |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1556-4029.13934 |journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences |language=en |volume=64 |issue=3 |pages=920–924 |doi=10.1111/1556-4029.13934 |issn=1556-4029 |pmid=30332508 |s2cid=52988396}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Longato |first1=S. |last2=Wöss |first2=C. |last3=Hatzer-Grubwieser |first3=P. |last4=Bauer |first4=C. |last5=Parson |first5=W. |last6=Unterberger |first6=S. H. |last7=Kuhn |first7=V. |last8=Pemberger |first8=N. |last9=Pallua |first9=Anton K. |last10=Recheis |first10=W. |last11=Lackner |first11=R. |date=2015-04-07 |title=Post-mortem interval estimation of human skeletal remains by micro-computed tomography, mid-infrared microscopic imaging and energy dispersive X-ray mapping |journal=Analytical Methods |volume=7 |issue=7 |pages=2917–2927 |doi=10.1039/c4ay02943g |issn=1759-9660 |pmc=4383336 |pmid=25878731}}</ref> |
| Forensic botany can also help investigators determine the cause of death, such as in cases where plant toxins are involved. For example, the presence of certain plant species in the stomach contents of a deceased individual may indicate accidental or intentional poisoning. | |
| Before a plant can aid the investigations, the plant must be identified first to see if it is from the location that the plant was found. Forensic botany can help investigators by providing a link between an individual and the crime scene by pinpointing the geographical location of missing bodies or estimate where the burial took place. Another way that is used is through the interrogation process where investigators compare the traces that the victim(s) are found and compare to the statements of the suspect(s).<ref name="Aquila 2019 920–924">{{Cite journal|last1=Aquila|first1=Isabella|last2=Sacco|first2=Matteo A.|last3=Ricci|first3=Pietrantonio|last4=Gratteri|first4=Santo|date=2019|title=The Role of Forensic Botany in Reconstructing the Dynamics of Trauma from High Falls|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1556-4029.13934|journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences|language=en|volume=64|issue=3|pages=920–924|doi=10.1111/1556-4029.13934|pmid=30332508|s2cid=52988396|issn=1556-4029}}</ref> Forensic botany can also reveal whether a death is due to suicide, accident, or homicide. Another example of forensic botany aiding investigators is by moss, moss can establish the PMI of a human skeletal, through its growth rate.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Longato|first1=S.|last2=Wöss|first2=C.|last3=Hatzer-Grubwieser|first3=P.|last4=Bauer|first4=C.|last5=Parson|first5=W.|last6=Unterberger|first6=S. H.|last7=Kuhn|first7=V.|last8=Pemberger|first8=N.|last9=Pallua|first9=Anton K.|last10=Recheis|first10=W.|last11=Lackner|first11=R.|date=2015-04-07|title=Post-mortem interval estimation of human skeletal remains by micro-computed tomography, mid-infrared microscopic imaging and energy dispersive X-ray mapping|journal=Analytical Methods|volume=7|issue=7|pages=2917–2927|doi=10.1039/c4ay02943g|issn=1759-9660|pmc=4383336|pmid=25878731}}</ref> | |
| In addition to identifying plant material, forensic botanists may also analyze soil samples for traces of plant material, which can provide valuable information about the environment in which a crime occurred. The analysis of plant material and soil samples can be performed through various techniques, including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and DNA analysis. | |
| For example, an elderly man fell a steep hillside and was found dead. They concluded that the man did not die from the fall but from hypertensive heart disease. Forensic botany concluded that the fall was approximately 10 m and there was a lane that joined the hill path around 9 m perpendicular form the body. It showed he had leaves on his left hand and sweater. There were also broken bushes in the scene. Forensic scientists specializing in forensic botany had grabbed five soil samples and some plant samples from the scene. The plant samples were analyzed through [[Optical microscope|optical microscopy]], and they also examined the victims' clothing since it did carry some plant elements. They did a macroscopic and microscopic analysis compared to the collected samples on the scene. It was concluded that there was no evidence of struggle caused by another person instead, the elderly man had lost his balance.<ref name="Aquila 2019 920–924"/> | |
| One example of the application of forensic botany is in the investigation of a death that initially appeared to be the result of a fall. Forensic botanists analyzed plant material found on the victim's clothing and compared it to samples collected from the scene. Through this analysis, they were able to determine that the victim had not fallen as initially suspected, but had instead been pushed. The plant material provided crucial evidence that helped investigators build a case against the suspect. | |
| === Subspecialties In Forensic Botany === | === Subspecialties In Forensic Botany === |
Okumaya devam et...