Analysis of Trace Evidence

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that as forensic botany integrates deeper into the legal world, more controversy stirs on just how reliable the science is. The writer discusses that forensic botany can be used in the analysis of plant evidence found at a crime scene, and the findings of that analysis can then be used as corroborating evidence in a court of law. The writer looks at a case in which a sample of sunflower seeds was found at the scene of a crime, and another collected from the secondary crime scene; the suspect's home. The writer notes that in the analysis if these two samples, using statistical methods proves the data is similar, then the it is most likely the suspect has committed the crime. A difference was found in the seed samples, and the writer therefore maintains that the evidence can be used, in contrast, along with other corroborating evidence to exonerate the suspect. This paper includes charts.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"This method is used when there are different sets of data to be tested, therefore a general assumption must be made in the form of a null and alternative hypothesis. As previously stated, the null hypothesis assumes that the samples of data being analysed are the same. In terms of this case, that would mean that the suspect would have, indeed, committed the crime. In order to either prove or disprove this assumption, specific statistical tests were run, and yielded an opposing result. The t-values for the seed values are shown to be much larger than the critical t value of 1.981, as well as the p-values were much lower than 0.05. This indicated that the null hypothesis be rejected,lack of similarity, proving that the data was, in fact, different.
"Though the statistical tests give a clear verdict of the seed comparison, comparing the data visually would also suggest a significant difference in the samples as well. Sunflower seeds are used for many different purposes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alexander, H. and Cummings, C. 2001, Seed size variation and predation of seeds produced by wild and crop-wild sunflowers. American Journal of Botany. 88:623-627
• Bock, J.H. and Norris, J.O. 1997. Forensic Botany: an under-utilized resource. Journalof Forensic Sciences. 42: 364-367.
• Coyle, H.M., Lee, C.-L., Lin, W.-Y., Lee, H.C. and Palmbach, T.M. 2005. Forensic Botany:Using Plant Evidence to aid in forensic death investigation. Croatian Medical Journal. 46 (4): 606-612.
• Nickell, J and Fischer, J. 1998. Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington KY, pp. 12-13
• Olaveson, M. 2007. Introductory Biology (BIOL 1020) Lab Manual. University ofOntario Institute of Technology. Oshawa, Ontario.

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