Forensic Botany Application - Essay Example

 Forensic Botany For a long time, nobody had appreciated the value of plants in convicting suspects in crimes. However, science has revealed that plants can be very critical in providing evidence in crimes. Moreover, the current advances in DNA technology has made it possible for effective analysis of plants, and then using the obtained information to augment other sources of evidence in identifying criminals. Apparently, plants are innocent, but are critical in helping detectives unearth the truth surrounding crimes. Moreover, the surging prevalence of illegal drug business in undercover connections has compelled scientists to unveil new techniques of relying on forensic botany. This paper will discuss the application of forensic botany. Identification of Evidence in Forensic Botany Although the application of forensic botany has presented multiple uses in the unveiling of crimes, the accurate identification of evidence has presented a wide range of challenges. There is a vast range of botanical species, a factor that has been limiting accurate identification for a long time. Many scientists have been trying to design approaches that can aid in effective identification of the multiple species (Coyle, 2005). The fact that plants are subject to fast degradation serves to complicate the issue of identification because the process of differentiating the degraded parts of plants to the level of the specific identification is long. These factors have often contributed to the continued underutilization of forensic botany irrespective of the potential it presents in identifying criminals. Earlier approaches considered the analysis of the degraded plant materials, and resulted to inconclusive results that were of minimal use in convicting suspects. Despite the challenges described above, newer methods and approaches have produced new source of hope based on analysis using DNA analysis techniques. Previously, the morphology of plants was a critical aspect in the identification (Coyle, 2005). However, scientific advancements have given rise to new techniques that exhibit a higher of reliability. However, these techniques pose challenges as well. Apparently, they may fail to meet the required forensic standards similar to the traditional identification methods. There are issues of specificity, profile complexity, and reproducibility that lead to the rejection of botanical evidence in courts. Moreover, a higher number of samples, translating to the urgency for analysis to yield quality and quantity have often yielded poor DNA making analysis less effective (Hall, Byrd, & Wiley InterScience, 2012). These factors usually introduce new challenges in the identification of evidence in forensic botany. Scientists have identified the fact that most of the evidence comes in mixed proportions, complicating the analysis process. Therefore, this heightens the need to develop techniques that have the potential of sorting out the mixed samples to present specific evidence. Such effective methods will help investigators rely on botanical evidence that is subject to being discarded in the current days. The development of numerous techniques used in DNA profiling has served to lay a hope for the possibility of better approaches of identification that yield evidence that is dependable in courts. Apparently, an effective DNA analysis technique for use in forensic botany must meet certain requirements. The approach must have the potential of establishing distinct differences between individual species irrespective of a high correlation. Moreover, it should have the capacity to handle robust amounts of samples (Bock, & Norris, 2008). An additional requirement of immense criticality is the fact that the technique must exhibit the potential of positively analyzing degraded plant materials. Although scientists have made progress in developing tools with the capacity to satisfy the above described requirements, only a few of the developed techniques have the potential of meeting all the requirements. However, the short tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Moreover, bar coding has emerged to present scientists with a hope for better analysis in the future. Collection of Samples Specialists are usually very keen in making sure that collection of samples follows a standard procedure. Collection is a critical step because seizure of the samples of interest occurs at this point. Prior to the collection of the intended samples, there is need for a specialist to embark on an effective recognition procedure, before collection of the sample accurate recognition serves as the initial step in the dependence of forensic botany in identifying any sort of crime. It is critical for specialists to create awareness to onlookers in the crime scene concerning the value of botanical evidence (Bock, & Norris, 2008). Such awareness will prevent any form of interference with the natural setting that may alter the outcome after analysis. All the personnel at the crime scene should understand the value of the botanical evidence that could serve to explain how crimes occurred. Moreover, there is need for the documentation of the appearance of the sample on the crime scene. Details are required in the documentation process and the specialist take note of all the aspects that are likely to aid in the interpretation of the results. Experts have revealed that documentation is a sure way of preserving the manner and character of botanical samples at the crime scene (Bock, & Norris, 2008). The documentation must capture all the steps undertaken in efforts to recognize and seize critical botanical evidence. Reflecting the entire collection procedure in documentation serves to augment the findings after analysis. Moreover, experienced scientists have revealed that there is need for inclusion of all pre-collection events. Usually, there are events that trigger the collection of botanical evidence, and these must be present in any record samples collected. Moreover, similar detailed documentation also applies to the post collection period. The character of what remains after successful collections can serve to provide hints. Whereas there is need for effective recognition of samples prior to collection, there is the urgency of collecting the samples before manipulations by third parties altering the results obtained after analysis (Bertino, & Bertino, 2012). Promptness in collection of samples is as important as accurate recognition and experts should couple the two in order to collect the most appropriate samples. However, there are chances that plant materials may occur at the crime scene in a degraded form. With the availability of new techniques of analysis, an investigator should collect such samples effectively. The seizure of the sample should for the use defined forensic standards as described in collection manuals. After seizure of sample, packaging follows. In this step, the investigator has to minimize all the risks that surround contamination. Therefore, contamination should occur in a proper manner. Moreover, the person charged with the responsibility of collecting must be aware of needs to adhere to standard packaging rules of packaging material for use in forensic botany (Bertino, & Bertino, 2012). Some of the rules highlight the need for individual packaging to reduce chances of counter contamination of samples. Moreover, the use of packaging material that minimizes the level of bacterial attacks on the samples increasing the rate of degradation is mandatory. An additional requirement of the collection procedure is the fact that an investigator must adhere to the legal procedure of attaining custody of botanical samples from the crime scene. With the increasing need for accurate identification and analysis of botanical samples for use in forensic identification of criminals, samples of interest need to be accompanied by control samples. The significance of controls in scientific processes is evident, and forensic botany is not an exception. Therefore, the investigator must be able to discern the most relevant and critical control samples for an effective analysis (Bell, Fisher, & Shaler, 2008). A clear illustration is the case of plant materials such as seed pods from the crime scene. These samples may not be of any value in highlighting information concerning the crime without control samples to aid in the analysis. This necessitates a critical collection of control samples alongside the samples of interest. Proper preservation of all the samples is mandatory. Analysis of Evidence from the Collected Samples There are different approaches used in the analysis of evidence from crime scenes in forensic botany. The first step involves a detailed morphological description of the botanical sample. In other cases, the initial step may be the approach of microscopy for a magnified observation of the sample in cases where the physical eye is incapable of describing the morphology. Other options may include procedures of molecular biology. After the initial description, analysis may take a different turn and venture into DNA analysis (Bell, Fisher, & Shaler, 2008). The advantages of the DNA profiling are the fact that each organism has a unique DNA sequence. This makes it possible for the investigators to start individualizing the samples. The objectives of the analysis aim at identifying the species of the sample. However, the identification process begins at a level higher than the species. Usually, an understanding of the environment defining the crime scene, an investigator can predict the species of the sample under analysis. However, in cases where such predictions are not a possibility, DNA profiling techniques and tools serve a critical. They offer the only approach that identifies the specific sample. Conclusion As described above, it is apparent that plants are innocent, but are critical in helping detectives unearth the truth surrounding crimes. Moreover, the surging increase of the sale of illegal drugs in undercover connections has compelled scientists to unveil new techniques of relying on forensic botany. With the evidence that forensic botany can play critical roles in identifying and convicting suspects, many scientists have been trying to design approaches that can aid in effective identification of the multiple botanical species. The fact that plants are subject to fast degradation serves to complicate the issue of identification because the process of differentiating the degraded parts of plants to the level of the specific identification is long. Unlike in the past when investigators faced the compulsion of discarding mixtures of evidences for lack of reliable analytic tools, today technology offers solutions, and such mixtures an undergo separation procedures. Numerous techniques used in DNA profiling has served to lay a hope for the possibility of better approaches of identification that yield evidence that is dependable in courts. The advantages of the DNA profiling are the fact that each organism has a unique DNA sequence. This enables investigators to start individualizing the samples. References Bell, S., Fisher, B. A. J., & Shaler, R. C. (2008). Encyclopedia of forensic science. New York, NY: Facts On File. Bertino, A. J., & Bertino, P. N. (2012). Forensic science: Fundamentals & investigations. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Bock, J. H., & Norris, D. O. (2008). Handbook of forensic botany. S.l: s.n.. Coyle, H. M. (2005). Forensic botany: Principles and applications to criminal casework. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Hall, D. W., Byrd, J. H., & Wiley InterScience (Online service). (2012). Forensic botany: A practical guide. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Read More