Forensic Molecular Botany: Identification of Plants from Trace Evidence
نویسندگان
چکیده
Molecular systematic botany is expanding its role in forensic science. DNA based techniques have been used in criminal cases to place a suspect at the crime scene, as well as to identify strains of marijuana (1,2). These studies have used DNA obtained from individual plant specimens of a known species and have not had to overcome problems associated with DNA mixtures of unkown plant composition. Much botanical evidence occurs in the form of mixtures and consequently, is currently not used in investigations. The ability to separate and identify individual elements in botanical mixtures may provide additional information from evidence that was previously ignored or not considered valuable to case work.
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