History of Tree Rings
What is the study of tree rings called?
Denrochronology
What tiny evidence is found in drowning victims?
Diatoms.
What can depressed (pushed down) grasses tell us?
Indicating possible entrances or exits, movement of suspects or victims
What is the name of the person that studies pollen and spores?
palynologist
Where is pollen located on a flower?
Anther
What are the light colored tree rings called
Early wood/ Spring wood
What do old gravesites look like?
Sunken in as the ground settles.
Why do forensic botanists take pictures of the entire scene prior to moving into an area.
Document the area in-situ, before it is disturbed.
What is the best classification for pollen evidence?
Trace or circumstantial
Why is it important for the pollen to be transferred from one plant to another?
fertilization
When are trees growing?
Spring to fall
How can pollen and spores solve criminal cases?
They can help tell us the location of the crime.
What should you collect botanical evidence in?
In a paper/paper bag.
How many plants should be collected at the crime scene?
10
What is it called when a flower is fertilized?
Pollination
When does the dark part of the tree ring grow?
in the summer
What type of death do we analyze diatoms for?
Drowning
What is the name of the form that documents the weather, GPS location, and other details about the crime scene
Evidence site form
What is the main job of a forensic botanist?
To help solve crime using plant and plant-like organisms
Where does pollen come from? Spores?
pollen - flowers or cones
spore - mushroom/fungi or basic plants like ferns
What are the tree rings made of?
xylem
How can you tell if a gravesite is new?
It will be raised. There will be a lack of vegetation on the site
What is the name of an area of plants, mainly dominated by one species?
Assemblage.
What details should be included about botanical evidence on the label? Name at least two details
Type of plant/species, color, measurements/size, condition, where it was found.
When pollen and spores are collected from specific areas to match to the evidence on a suspect or victim.
Pollen profile/pollen fingerprint