Forensic Plant Science

About the Author

David O. Norris, PhD

David O. Norris has done research in environmental endocrinology and neuroendocrinology for more than 50 years. Dr. Norris is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado. He has worked in the area of forensic botany, since 1982, primarily on developing the use of plant cells in the gastrointestinal tract to aid in homicide investigations. Dr. Norris has been certified as an expert witness in this area for the State of Colorado. Dr. Norris also has consulted on other botanical evidence for criminal investigations. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2014 and is a founding member of NecroSearch International.

Jane H. Bock, PhD

Jane H. Bock is a Professor emerita in biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She taught, carried out research and published scientific work in population ecology and forensic botany at Boulder for over 30 years. Officially retired from teaching, she continues to do research as a forensic botanist and serve as an expert witness for the defense or the prosecution in homicide cases. She also lectures and continues to publish regularly. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and was a founding member of both Necrosearch International and the Ecology Section of the Botanical Society of America.

About this Book

Forensic botany is the application of plant science to the resolution of legal questions. A plant’s anatomy and its ecological requirements are in some cases species specific and require taxonomic verification; correct interpretation of botanical evidence can give vital information about a crime scene or a suspect or victim. The use of botanical evidence in legal investigations in North America is relatively recent. The first botanical testimony to be heard in a North American court concerned the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s baby boy and the conviction of Bruno Hauptmann in 1935. Today, forensic botany encompasses numerous subdisciplines of plant science, such as plant anatomy, taxonomy, ecology, palynology, and diatomology, and interfaces with other disciplines, e.g., molecular biology, limnology and oceanography.

Forensic Plant Science presents chapters on plant science evidence, plant anatomy, plant taxonomic evidence, plant ecology, case studies for all of the above, as well as the educational pathways for the future of forensic plant science.

KEY FEATURES

• Provides techniques, collection methods, and analysis of digested plant materials

• Shows how to identify plants for various forensic uses

• Online website host microscopic atlas of common food

Photographic Atlas Contents

Click here to access

Photomicrographs of Plant Cells

FPS Apple

FPS Artichoke

FPS Arugula

FPS Asparagus

FPS Avocado

FPS Banana

FPS Bean - Composite of Parenchyma

FPS Bean - Garbanzo 2

FPS Bean - Garbanzo

FPS Bean - Green

FPS Bean - Kidney

FPS Bean - Lupini (Fava)

FPS Beans - Black

FPS Beans - Pinto

FPS Beans-Lima

FPS Beets

FPS Blueberry

FPS Broccoli

FPS Cabbage

FPS Carrot

FPS Celery

FPS Chive

FPS Cilantro (Coriander)

FPS Corn

FPS Cranberry

FPS Dandelion

FPS Dill

FPS Eggplant

FPS Fennel

FPS Fig

FPS Garlic

FPS Grape- Green & Red

FPS Kale

FPS Kiwi

FPS Leek

FPS Lentil

FPS Lettuce - Green & Red

FPS Okra

FPS Olive

FPS Onion

FPS Parsley

FPS Pea - Snow

FPS Peach

FPS Pear - Asian & European

FPS Pepper- Green & Pimento

FPS Pineapple

FPS Plum

FPS Potato - Sweet & White

FPS Radish

FPS Rhubarb

FPS Spinach

FPS Squash - Zucchini

FPS Tarragon

FPS Tomato

Photomicrographs of seeds

FPS Seed - Anise

FPS Seed - Blackberry

FPS Seed - Canteloupe melon

FPS Seed - Fig

FPS Seed - Flax

FPS Seed - Grapefruit

FPS Seed - Honeydew melon

FPS Seed - Kiwango

FPS Seed - Micrometer measurements

FPS Seed - Okra

FPS Seed - Poppy

FPS Seed - Raspberry

FPS Seed - Strawberry