1st Edition
Forensic Botany Principles and Applications to Criminal Casework
Increasingly, forensic scientists use plant evidence to reconstruct crimes. The forensic aspects of this subject require an understanding of what is necessary for botanical evidence to be accepted in our judicial system.
Bringing together the latest information into a single resource, Forensic Botany: Principles and Applications to Criminal Casework introduces the basic science underlying this emerging field of forensic botany. Contributors discuss the recognition of pertinent plant evidence at a crime scene, the appropriate collection and preservation of the material, and maintenance of a chain of custody. They also explain scientific testing methods, the validation of new forensic techniques, and admissibility criteria for court. An overview of plant biology and historical developments in forensic DNA analysis is also included, as well as case examples featuring the use of botanical evidence in a variety of criminal cases.
In an effort to build the scientific foundation for this promising field, this book provides definitive coverage of forensic botany with detailed applications and case examples. It familiarizes forensic scientists with the role of botanical evidence in criminal investigations and its potential value in the pursuit of justice.
Basic Plant Biology, Heather Miller Coyle
Plant Cell Structure and Function, Heather Miller Coyle
Modes of Plant Reproduction, Heather Miller Coyle
DNA Structure and Function
Fundamental Genetics, Nicholas C.S. Yang
Molecular Biology Basics, Heather Miller Coyle
Plant Diversity, Heather Miller Coyle
The Use of Biological and Botanical Evidence in Criminal Investigations, Carll Ladd, Henry C. Lee
An Overview of Historical Developments in Forensic DNA Analysis, Gary Shutler
DNA and the Identification of Plant Species from Stomach , Cheng-Lung Lee, Ian C. Hsu, and Henry C. Lee
Plant Identification by DNA
Identification of Plant Species from Particulate Material Using Molecular Methods, Robert Bever
Species Identification of Marijuana by DNA Analysis, Margaret Sanger
Case Study: DNA Profiling to Link Drug Seizures in the United Kingdom, Adrian Linacre, Hsing-Mei Hsieh, and James Chun-I Lee
Case Applications of Forensic Botany
The Green Revolution: Botanical Contributions to Forensics and Drug Enforcement, Heather Miller Coyle, Carll Ladd, Timothy Palmbach, Esq., and Henry C. Lee
Additional Case Studies, Elaine Pagliaro
Tracking Clonally Propagated Marijuana Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) Analysis, Heather Miller Coyle, Timothy Palmbach, Carll Ladd, and Henry C. Lee
Legal Considerations for Acceptance of New Forensic Methods in Court, Timothy Palmbach
Forensic Palynology, Lynne A. Milne, Vaughn M. Bryant, Jr., and Dallas C. Mildenhall
Classical and Future DNA Typing Technologies for Plants, Eric J. Carita
Appendix 1: Considerations for the Use of Forensic Botanical Evidence: An Overview
Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms
Appendix 3: Directory of Contacts
Appendix 4: Biographies
Biography
Heather Miller Coyle
"…very well written and informative, providing the reader with an excellent and concise introduction to plant biology, plant genetics, plant identification procedures, and the application of botanical evidence in criminal cases. All forensic scientists will enjoy reading the fascinating case examples highlighting the use botanical evidence. Scientists in forensic DNA typing analysis and trace evidence examination will value this book as an excellent reference text."
-Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Peter Bilous, M.Sc., Ph.D.
"This book provides an essential introduction to the field, to all those who have an interest in scenes of crime investigation as well as forensic pathologists … . [W]ell written … easy to read … [and] thought provoking. It is not often that one is introduced to a whole new area of forensic practice, and not have the slightest idea what it entails. With the benefit of this fairly unique book, no on need be in that position when his exciting field of forensic botany takes off."
- www.forensicmed.co.uk
"Good reference text on biology and its relationship to forensic science. Good illustrations, easy to read."
-Journal of the American Association of Forensic Dentists"Coyle is a bone fide plant biologist having received a Ph.D, in plant biology from the University of New Hampshire … . She does a good job of making sure to direct her botanical summaries to forensics. Her descriptions of using plants as crime scene evidence are almost reminiscent of ethnobotanical descriptions. Coyle et al. keep us interested in their descriptions by not just explaining techniques but providing a variety of high-quality, pertinent examples to show how these techniques have been used in the past. The appendix, Considerations for the Use of Forensic Botanical Evidence: An Overview, is an excellent resource … . I like Coyle’s book and it would make an excellent addition to a forensic biologist’s library."
— Alfredo Gomez-Beloz, Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, WA in Economic Botany 61(2) 2007
"Forensic Botany: Principles and Applications to Criminal Casework is packed with details – details that forensic scientists must note and perhaps use in their crime scene investigations."
– David M. Jarzen, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, in AASP Newsletter, June 2007, Vol. 40, No. 2
