Forensic Palynology

The use of forensic botany and palynology in helping to solve crime is a relatively new area in the UK. The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU) is working at the forefront of its research and application.

Pollen evidence can be used to link a person or link objects to a location. For example in serious crime cases, pollen can help to determine whether death occurred at the location where a body was found or whether a body has been moved to that location. Also pollen deposited in the nose can also indicate whether a victim was alive when deposited at a location and can help by determining the season of death.  The collection of pollen evidence therefore has a wide range of applications within a scene of crime setting, and we have experience of working with a number of serious crimes cases in the United Kingdom.