Guess Who? A Forensic Case Example from Palynology

The body of a woman, fatally shot with a shotgun, was discovered in a vineyard. The victim was identified as 61-year-old victim, and an official investigation was initiated by law enforcement. During the course of the investigation, two individuals were identified as suspects. By order of the prosecutor, four soil samples collected from the crime scene, three soil/swab samples from the vehicle of suspect 2, a pair of trousers, and a pair of shoes from suspect 2 were submitted to palynology laboratory. Additionally, five soil/swab samples from the vehicle of suspect 1, two shirts, three pairs of trousers, and a pair of shoes from suspect 1 were also delivered for analysis. All samples were washed with distilled water, filtered, and transferred into sterile tubes. The tubes were centrifuged, and the residues were used to prepare two pollen slides per sample using basic fuchsin-glycerin jelly. The taxa and abundance of pollen grains were determined. In total, 2,284 pollen grains representing 26 different taxa were observed. The plant taxa growing at and around the crime scene were identified through an examination of crime scene photographs.The samples were compared in terms of pollen type and abundance, and palynological findings were evaluated against the local flora documented at the crime scene. The analysis indicated an association between suspect 1 and the crime scene. Consequently, the suspect was taken into custody, and judicial proceedings were initiated. The trial is currently ongoing without detention.