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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt
ISSN: 1119-8362
Vol. 22, No. 1, 2018, pp. 85-89
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Bioline Code: ja18015
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, Vol. 22, No. 1, 2018, pp. 85-89
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The Use of Soil Palynomorphs in Forensics
ABDULRAHAMAN, AA; SAHLI, AA AL- & OKOLI, JU
Abstract
The aim was to establish the forensic value of using palynomorphs in soil samples to link people
or objects to crime scenes in order to establish or strengthen an association. This was done by determining the degree
to which pollen assemblages of surface soil samples differ within the same area. Samples within the same localized
area (the control site) showed a high degree of similarity, suggesting that pollen assemblages of surface soil samples
from within a localized area are homogeneous. Standard methods were used for the collection and analysis of soil
samples such as deflocculation, acetolysis for removal of cellulose and organic matter and silicate removal method to
achieve better visualization and identification of pollen types. The results indicated that the cast of footprints and
palm prints provided evidence of a two way transfer of materials between the palms and feet and the soil of the grassy
area. Pollen analysis of the soil that had adhered to the palms and feet showed that the perpetrator of the imprint had
been standing in that grassy area. The analysis of the interface between the body parts (palms and feet) and soil is
therefore a potentially lucrative source of information for forensic reconstruction. This analysis shows that pollen can
be used to associate perpetrators to crime scenes and should be seen as a useful tool in the analysis of hitherto
unrecognized forensic materials in forensic palynology.
Keywords
Feet; forensics; palms; palynology; palynomorphs; soil
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© Copyright 2017 - Adbulraman et al.
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