Papers by Patricia E J Wiltshire
Forensic palynology has been a law enforcement tool for over 50 years. Forensic palynology is the... more Forensic palynology has been a law enforcement tool for over 50 years. Forensic palynology is the application of pollen and spores in solving legal issues, either civil or criminal. Pollen and spores can be obtained from an extremely wide range of items, including bodies. Pollen and spores provide clues as to the source of the items and the characteristics of the environments from which the material on them is sourced. Their usefulness lies in a combination of their abundance, dispersal mechanisms, resistance to mechanical and chemical destruction, microscopic size, and morphology. Their often complex morphology allows identification to an individual parent plant taxon that can be related to a specific ecological habitat or a specific scene. Pollen and spore assemblages characterise different environments and scenes and can easily be picked up and transported away from scenes of interest without providing any visual clue to a suspect as to what has occurred. With so many publications and high-profile cases involving forensic palynology and environmental analysis now receiving publicity, the future of this branch of forensic science is assured. Furthermore, with the development of multidisciplinary approaches to environmental analyses of crime scenes, far more detailed information is now available to law enforcement agencies, enabling them to determine with greater accuracy what may have happened during the commission of criminal activities.
Fungal Biology, Nov 1, 2016
Palynology (including mycology) is widely used in palaeoecological and bioarchaeological studies.... more Palynology (including mycology) is widely used in palaeoecological and bioarchaeological studies. Lake and mire sediments, soils, and the deposits accumulating in archaeological features, invariably contain plant and fungal remains, particularly pollen and spores. These serve as proxy indicators of ancient environmental conditions and events. Forensic palynology has been successfully employed in criminal investigations for more than two decades. In recent years, it has included fungal palynomorphs in profiling samples from crime scenes, and from exhibits obtained from suspects and victims. This contribution outlines the main features of palynology, and gives examples of case studies where fungal spores, pollen, and plant spores, have enhanced the interpretation of ancient landscapes and land-use, and provided pivotal intelligence, and probative evidence, in criminal investigations.
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Dec 1, 2016
In the Quaternary palynological literature, the name Diporotheca rhizophila has come to be applie... more In the Quaternary palynological literature, the name Diporotheca rhizophila has come to be applied for fungal spores labelled in the Hugo de Vries-Laboratory (HdV) in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) as Type HdV-143. The widespread occurrence of this taxon in palynological preparations was difficult to understand as the species is definitely known only from Solanum species in Washington State in the USA.
Forensic Science International, Nov 1, 2006
Obtaining palynological and other botanical evidence from murder victims is becoming part of rout... more Obtaining palynological and other botanical evidence from murder victims is becoming part of routine mortuary protocol in the United Kingdom. Forensic pathologists are often keen to cooperate in the collection of classes of material that have, in the past, been considered to be of little importance in criminal investigation. Work over the last eight years has demonstrated the great value in scrutinising cadavers for the presence of plant material and/or soil stains. Macroscopic plant remains and palynomorphs (pollen, spores and other microscopic entities) retrieved from skin and hair have allowed the differentiation of murder scenes from places of eventual deposition. Furthermore, although the opportunity has not yet presented itself, obtaining palynological evidence from the hair of suspects is feasible. During an offence, the offender might have had physical contact with foliage or the ground. Pollen and spore assemblages picked up by hair during that activity might provide forensic evidence for contact. Brief details of some aspects of case histories are presented to demonstrate the value of sampling cadavers. One case has been through the courts while the other is ongoing and, therefore, cannot be identified.
Forensic Science International, Oct 1, 2004
This paper describes a repeatability test, comparing conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyse... more This paper describes a repeatability test, comparing conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses with the technique of quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) as a determinant of mineral abundance. The conjunctive use of both methods allows specific mineral abundances to be matched between scene of crime (SOC) and suspects where soil or substrate mineralogy is similar. In our test, samples from potential SOC locations were taken from car tyre tracks. A car was driven to one location by an independent person and the car submitted for sampling. The tyre-tread sample showed potential correlation to two locations: one correct and the other incorrect. QXRD showed the mineral proportions of the tyre-tread sample matched only the correct location. However, QXRD did fail to discriminate two locations that XRD did show to be different. Both methods utilise the same sample and X-ray diffractogram, suggesting that their conjunctive use, preceded by standard Earth material forensic study, is recommended.
The Royal Society of Chemistry eBooks, Jun 30, 2016
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Feb 1, 2016
Springer eBooks, Dec 22, 2008
Ecology, botany, and palynology are now accepted as part of the armoury of forensic techniques. T... more Ecology, botany, and palynology are now accepted as part of the armoury of forensic techniques. These disciplines have been tested in court and have provided evidence for contact of objects and places, location of clandestinely-disposed human remains and graves, estimating times of deposition of bodies, differentiating murder sites from deposition sites, and provenancing the origin of objects and materials. It is important that the forensic palynologist is a competent botanist and ecologist. Sadly, not all practitioners have this essential background and, therefore, produce work inadequate to withstand scrutiny in court. Palynology involves the identification of many classes of microscopic entities, the most important being pollen, plant spores, and fungal spores. The practitioner needs to be able to identify palynomorphs in damaged and decayed states and this requires experience and skill. However, identification is still the lowest level of palynological expertise, and interpretation of palynological assemblages requires knowledge of plant distribution, developmental responses, and phenology, as well as ecosystem structure and function. The forensic palynologist must also understand highly manipulated and artificial systems, and the complexities of taphonomic processes. There have been attempts to make forensic palynology 'more scientific' by the construction of test trials, the application of current statistical techniques, mathematical modelling, and reference to aerobiological data and pollen calendars. But these appear to be of limited use in the forensic context where outcomes are scrutinised in court. There is a high degree of heterogeneity and variability in palynological profiles, and every location is unique. It is impossible to achieve meaningful and forensicallyuseful databases of the palynological characteristics of places; predictive models will always be crude and unlikely to be of practical value. In spite of this, the experienced ecologist/palynologist has been able to identify places, demonstrate links between objects and places, estimate body deposition times, and differentiate
Field Mycology, May 1, 2010
Research and reports in forensic medical science, Dec 1, 2015
Mycology can contribute to a variety of forensic investigations, including the determination of p... more Mycology can contribute to a variety of forensic investigations, including the determination of postmortem intervals from mold growth on corpses, psychoactive substances and toxins, hazards from mold growth in buildings, and providing trace evidence linking people and objects with places. Studies are also starting to be undertaken to explore the use of molecular data on fungi in the characterization of soils. In addition, where there are health concerns, possibly associated with mold growth in buildings, guidance is presented with respect to the collection of samples, and some caveats are given which must be considered in interpretation of data. Attention is drawn to pertinent publications which either appeared, or came to the attention of the authors, since the review they prepared in 2010. This is supplemented by examples from their own recent casework. In order to avoid valuable information being overlooked, there is a need for investigating officers, and those involved in forensic medicine, especially pathologists and toxicologists, to be aware of the evidential value of fungi. In particular, they should not overlook opportunities to recover spores from human remains, to examine any mold colonies growing on corpses, and to analyze gut contents for fungal material and spores.
Forensic Science International, Nov 1, 2006
Palynology is a long established and respected branch of environmental science that has been appl... more Palynology is a long established and respected branch of environmental science that has been applied to criminal investigation in a meaningful way only in recent years. It has proved to be remarkably versatile in many kinds of criminal enquiry. It is not, however, an absolute science; palynological data are on a par with the suites of symptoms which allow medical practitioners to make diagnoses. Taphonomic variability is the main factor complicating interpretation of forensic palynological data. Palynological taphonomy may be defined as ''all the factors that influence whether a palynomorph (pollen, spore, or other microscopic entity) will be found at a specific place at a specific time''. If taphonomic variability is anticipated, and regularly tested, palynology will continue to keep its place in the armoury of useful forensic methods. Some assumptions made by palynologists engaged in palaeoecology and archaeology have been shown to be untenable in the forensic context. Palynological and botanical profiling of crime scenes has demonstrated anomalies which challenge received wisdoms. It has proved impossible to obtain palynological population data because every site is unique-expectations of any palynological profile can only be crude. The palynological status of any place must be tested every time. Without a body of analytical data from the actual crime scene, it is difficult to see how any palynologist can hope to present credible arguments under cross-examination. The statements made in this paper relate mainly to work carried out in the United Kingdom.
1. Palynological data from a riverine peat in Buxton, Derbyshire, show a record of possible Mesol... more 1. Palynological data from a riverine peat in Buxton, Derbyshire, show a record of possible Mesolithic hunter-gatherer vegetational disturbances, continuous arable activity since at least 6000 BP, and extensive woodland clearance from Bronze Age times onward. 2. The fossil record for cultivation may be the earliest yet found for the British Isles. Nearby archaeological excavations have produced dated Neolithic contexts, including remains of wheat and flax from house structures, covering the period 5024 ± 126 BP to 4680 ± 70 BP. 3. The pollen catchment area of the site has always contained locales of open vegetational aspect.
Forensic Science International, Sep 1, 2015
The body of a murdered woman was found on the planted periphery of a busy roundabout in Dundee, U... more The body of a murdered woman was found on the planted periphery of a busy roundabout in Dundee, United Kingdom. A suspect was apprehended and his footwear yielded a similar palynological (botanical and mycological) profile to that obtained from the ground and vegetation of the crime scene, and to that of the victim's clothing. The sources of palynomorphs at the roundabout were the in situ vegetation, and macerated woody mulch which had been laid on the ground surface. The degree of rarity of individual forensic markers, the complexity of the overall profile, and the application of both botanical and mycological expertise, led to a high level of resolution in the results, enabling the exhibits to be linked to the crime scene. The suspect was convicted of murder. The interpretation of the results allowed conclusions which added to the list of essential protocols for crime scene sampling as well the requirement for advanced expertise in identification.
Forensic Science International, Jun 1, 2019
Science & Justice, Apr 1, 2005
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Aug 1, 2015
Light microscopical examination of plant and fungal remains in the post mortem gut may be capable... more Light microscopical examination of plant and fungal remains in the post mortem gut may be capable of demonstrating the ingestion of unexpected natural psychotropic materials. This is demonstrated here in a case in which a 'shaman' was accused of causing the death of a young man. The deceased had participated in a ceremony which involved the drinking of ayahuasca in order to induce a psychotropic experience. Ayahuasca is an infusion of Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca vine), which produces a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and one or more additional tropical plants, generally Psychotria viridis (chacruna) which produces dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The monoamine oxidase inhibitor prevents DMT from being broken down in the gut, so enabling its passage into the bloodstream and across the blood/ brain barrier. Toxicological tests for DMT demonstrated the presence of this compound in the body. The deceased was reported to be in the habit of using Psilocybe semilanceata (liberty cap). This fungus (popularly called magic mushroom) contains psilocybin which is hydrolysed in the gut to psilocin; this compound mimics a serotonin uptake inhibitor, and also invokes psychotropic experiences. Microscopical examination established that the ileum and colon contained spores of Psilocybe and, in addition, pollen of Cannabis sativa and seeds of Papaver cf. somniferum (opium poppy). Both the plant species yield psychotropic substances. Palynological and mycological analysis of containers from the deceased person's dwelling also yielded abundant trace evidence of pertinent pollen and spores. The police had requested analysis for DMT but there was no screening for other psychotropic substances. Investigators were surprised that a mixture of hallucinogenic materials had been consumed by the deceased. The charge was modified from manslaughter to possession of a 'Class A' drug as the deceased had been consuming psychotropic substances not administered by the 'shaman'. Where death involving drugs from plants or fungi is suspected, microscopical examination of samples from the gut can provide a rapid and effective method for assessing, in a temporal context, the presence of ingested materials that may not have been previously suspected. The example presented here also demonstrates the need for caution in interpreting toxicological results where screening for unusual compounds has been limited.
Palynology, Oct 26, 2015
Palynology has developed over the last 100 years, and has been used chiefly in palaeoecology, env... more Palynology has developed over the last 100 years, and has been used chiefly in palaeoecology, environmental archaeology, geology, and taxonomy. Many publications concern general and esoteric methods used in branches of palynology, but most are derived from the Quaternary sciences. The literature in forensic palynology, in contrast, is relatively small, disparate, and fragmented. No comprehensive guide to best practice for the forensic palynologist has previously been published. The protocols presented here address that need, and are based, though not exclusively, on the author's experience over 20 years, primarily in the UK and Ireland where every police force has been assisted in some way. Regional differences in police practices have been ignored here, and the protocols concentrate on essential requirements. The spectrum of activity from first encounter with a client (such as the police) to a final court appearance is addressed, and can be applied wherever forensic palynology is employed. While procedures can be standardised to a considerable extent, it is not possible to provide guidelines on the interpretation of data. Interpretative skills require repeated exposure to casework and an understanding of the complexity of palynological taphonomy (all the factors affecting whether a palynomorph will be found at a particular place, at a particular time). As every case is unique, each presents new challenges, so a fully formulaic or inflexible protocol would be unhelpful in the interpretation of palynological profiles. References to more detailed information are provided where other literature, especially in Quaternary science, is inadequate for forensic purposes.
Applied Soil Ecology, Jun 1, 2000
Very little is known about the microbiology of graves. We have taken the opportunity to investiga... more Very little is known about the microbiology of graves. We have taken the opportunity to investigate this subject by taking advantage of the unusual opportunity afforded by the experimental burial of pigs in a forensic experiment. Selected microbial characteristics of soils from the 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths of the graves of three pigs and of control soils have been determined 430 days after burial. The grave soils contained more total C, microbial biomass C and total N, and showed increased rates of respiration and N mineralisation compared to the control soils. The grave soils also had larger amino acid and NH 4 + concentrations, which was consistent with the increases in both net N mineralisation and pH values. Nitrification was not detected in any of the soils and the limited NO 3 − supply restricted the rate of denitrification, but the large alkali-soluble S 2− concentration of soils from the graves indicated reducing conditions in the graves.
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Papers by Patricia E J Wiltshire