Botany 2002 Botany in the Curriculum: Integrating Research and Teaching August 2-4: Forum on Botanical Education & Outreach August 4-7: Annual Scientific Conference Pyle Conference Center University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Discussion Sessions

Bock, Jane H. and David O. Norris. Department of E.P.O. Biology, CB 334, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309. - Forensic botany.

Forensic botany is based upon the knowledge and techniques of plant science to legal matters, especially those related to crime. Our presentation is based upon our experiences with applications from three aspects of botany in criminal, especially homicide, investigations. Examples from cases will be given. 1) Plant Anatomy. Because of the indigestible nature of plant cell walls, we often can identify the specific plant source of such cells in stomach, intestinal, and fecal samples. The utilization of plant cell matter in the human digestive tract requires some special training, but the laboratory techniques are simple. 2) Plant Taxonomy. A second kind of botanical evidence in crime scene investigation comes from plant taxonomy. Specific plant materials on vehicles have been used to link suspects to a crime scene, suspect to a victim, and transported victims to the original crime scene. 3) Plant Ecology. In the search for clandestine graves, ecological knowledge of patterns of plant succession is useful. Disturbance patterns of ground and vegetation over graves vary in known ways and are dependent upon time since burial, decomposition of the corpse, and regional climate among other factors. 4) Education. Presently there are no formal training programs and no board certification in forensic botany. Advanced education in botany is essential (MA or PhD) and some training in crime scene investigation, courtroom testimony and evidence presentation as well as appropriate professional affiliation are important. Summary. Many aspects of botanical knowledge are useful in detection and in courtroom testimony in criminal cases. Some witnesses may require specialized training to be received as experts in courts. Botanical evidence as described here calls for relatively inexpensive techniques to produce credible evidence.

Coleman, Annette W.¹ and and Mark W. Chase². ¹BioMed, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912; and, ²Jodrell Lab, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3DS, UK. - Uses of nuclear ribosomal RNA repeats, ITS2 sequences.

Comparisons of ITS2 DNA sequences have been widely used for analyses and phylogenetic studies, but difficulties are encountered in certain groups. We present examples and possible solutions concerning: 1) Techiques: what works, what doesn't, cloning vs direct sequencing, contaminants and how to recognize them; 2) RNA transcript folding and how it can help alignment and other uses; and 3) Hybrids and consequences, pseudogenes, and how to recognize them and what to do.