Case 2: A Grain of Truth
Pollen can certainly be irritating to those who suffer from allergies. But when incorporated into forensics, it not only irritates criminals but also can implicate them. Forensic palynology is the science of analyzing pollen and spores to help solve cases. Microscopic pollen grains from plants of a certain area are assembled in ratios to one another that are unique to that area. When compared with pollen samples from a suspect’s clothing, shoes, or vehicle, these “pollen prints” can point criminal investigators to a specific geographical location, prove or destroy alibis, and link a suspect to the scene of a crime.
Dr. Lynne Milne, a professor at the University of Western Australia in Crawley, is a forensic palynologist who used pollen and spores to help the police catch a killer in Queensland, Australia.