Biological Trace Evidence

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how forensic entomology is the science and study of insects and other arthropods associated with human remains to aid legal investigations. It also looks at how palynology is a term first used by Hyde and Williams (1944) for the collective study of pollen, grains and spores. This discipline has since been expanded into the study of other acid-resistant micro organisms. Finally, the paper also discusses how phytoplankton are the autotrophic component of plankton which exist in water columns. Phytoplankton obtain energy from photosynthesis so live on the well lit surface of oceans, seas, rivers and/or lakes. It shows how all three disciplines are useful to forensic science. Photographs and diagrams are included in the paper.

Outline:
Introduction
Forensic Entomology
Successional Waves of Insects
Maggots Age and Development
Forensic Palynology
Phytoplankton
References

From the Paper:

"Flowering angiosperms completely submerged in water release their pollen and rely upon currents in the water to transport it from the male anther to female stigma of a neighbouring flower. This method, similarly to wind pollination is very hit and miss. It is therefore logical that these types of plants have high productivity of pollen, with each anther producing 1000s. These underwater plants produce pollen types which have a single layered cellulose wall it is very rarely preserved in lake sediments and therefore they are of little use."

Sample of Sources Used:

• www.ucl.ac.uk/GeolSci/micropal/diatom.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatom
• www.geradts.com/anil/ij/vol_002_no_001/br002_001/page007.html
• www.ictimt.org/vol3no3/publication.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinoflagellate

More papers on Biological Trace Evidence:

• Analytical Essay # 122126 : "Law and Evidence"
• Analytical Essay # 23788 : "The Biological Weapons Connection"
• Essay # 48805 : "Forensic Chemistry"

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