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DNA - A Prosecutor’s Practice Notebook Inventory

Pollen as Evidence

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Photo of flower with pollen
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

For example, pollen or spores collected from evidentiary items, such as clothing, hair, rope, etc., may link an individual or item with a crime scene or reveal where an item has been. Pollen samples can be found in the soil under the bones of human remains, in nasal passages, in stomach contents, and in illegal drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine. Among others, Texas A&M University has a very active palynology laboratory in its Department of Anthropology.

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