Forensic botany uses plant evidence to solve legal cases. It examines macroscopic plant materials found at crime scenes. One early example was identifying poison hemlock used in Socrates' suicide. Pollen and diatoms from plant assemblages in a victim's lungs can determine where they drowned. During investigations, crime scene photographers document disturbed and unusual plants that may indicate entrances or evidence. Forensic palynology analyzes pollen and spores to link locations or suspects. Careful collection of botanical evidence avoids contamination and helps solve cases.

2. FORENSIC BOTANY
Presented By:-
Divyaraman.R
AFRS Volunteer

3. Contents:
 Introduction
 History of Forensic Botany
 How forensic botany is used to solve case?
 Botanical crime-scene analysis
 Searching and Mapping of botanical evidences
 Conclusion

4. Introduction:
 Forensic botany is the application of the plant science to crime-scene
analysis for use in legal cases.
 Here, the term macroscopic plant remains is given to those plant
materials which are not included within forensic palynology or
microbiology.
 Research centered on spores, pollen and certain microorganisms is
well developed.

5. History of Forensic Botany
 One of the early documented cases of forensic botany connected with
macroscopic plant materials was the suicide death of Socrates.
 Plato’s Phaedo (Plato and Gallop 2009), we read of Socrates’
symptoms after he drank the fatal brew as of poison hemlock.
 Richard “Bruno” Hauptmann was convicted of the kidnapping of
Charles Lindbergh’s son. This was the first time that forensic botany
evidence was accepted as legal evidence during a trial.

6. How Forensic Botany is used to solve
cases?
Plants grow in assemblages:
Assemblages are groups of plants usually dominated by one species.
Drowning Victims:
 By comparing the number and proportion of algae and diatoms in a
drowned person’s lungs and body tissues, it is possible, in some
cases, to determine where he or she drowned.
 Fewer than 20 different species of diatoms indicate a recent
drowning, more than 50 species indicate a longer postmortem
interval.

7. Botanical Crime-Scene Analysis
 The crime scene photographer should take image
of:
1. Dominant plants and other plants,
2. Depressed grasses indicating possible entrances
or exits,
3. Broken branches or disturbed plants,
4. Plants in unusual locations relative to the body,
vehicle or objects.

8. Searching & Mapping of Botanical
Evidences
Pollen and Spores in forensics:
 Forensic Palynology is the study of pollen and spore evidence to help
solve criminal cases.
 Pollen and spores have different functions but they have similar
characteristics.
Pollen producers:
 Plant reproduction is either from non- seed plants or seed plants.
 Pollen fingerprint.
Seed plants today include:
 Gymnosperms
 Angiosperms

9. Conclusion:
Collection of all botanical evidences must be performed carefully to
avoid contamination. So these are the points to how forensic botany
involves in crime scene and helps to collect the evidences from the crime
scene.

10. THANK YOU