Forensic value of pollen from ornamental indoor plants

Author(s)
Philipp Nguyen, Martina Weber
Abstract

Pollen is deposited almost everywhere and can be gathered and analysed. This work is part of a survey dedicated to indoor pollen from a forensic point of view. Ornamental plants were introduced into a private flat. Their influence on the pre-existing pollen assemblages was documented. Results show that ornamental plants can dramatically change the pollen spectra of indoor locations. The severity of this impact strongly varies with different plant taxa. These findings are important for forensic investigations, since such an ‘artificial’ pollen spectrum leaves an unusual trace and could subsequently relate a suspect to a crime scene.

Organisation(s)
Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
Journal
Grana: an international journal of palynology and aerobiology with world pollen and spore flora
Volume
54
Pages
236-246
No. of pages
11
ISSN
0017-3134
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00173134.2015.1045024
Publication date
05-2015
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106049 Ultrastructure research, 106008 Botany
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Plant Science
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/ad10ab8a-8250-441e-85c5-69200d5a7e96