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The Role of Forensic Botany in Crime Scene Investigation: Case Report and Review of Literature
Author(s) -
Aquila Isabella,
Ausania Francesco,
Di Nunzio Ciro,
Serra Arianna,
Boca Silvia,
Capelli Arnaldo,
Magni Paola,
Ricci Pietrantonio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12401
Subject(s) - crime scene , forensic science , autopsy , medicine , criminology , psychology , pathology , veterinary medicine
Management of a crime is the process of ensuring accurate and effective collection and preservation of physical evidence. Forensic botany can provide significant supporting evidences during criminal investigations. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of forensic botany in the crime scene. We reported a case of a woman affected by dementia who had disappeared from nursing care and was found dead near the banks of a river that flowed under a railroad. Two possible ways of access to crime scene were identified and denominated “Path A” and “Path B.” Both types of soil and plants were identified. Botanical survey was performed. Some samples of Xanthium Orientalis subsp. Italicum were identified. The fall of woman resulted in external injuries and vertebral fracture at autopsy. The botanical evidence is important when crime scene and autopsy findings are not sufficient to define the dynamics and the modality of death.