Project:

A Pilot Study of DNA Barcoding NYC Weeds for Forensic Botanic Applications

Students:

Nusrat Khan, Arinne Hoque

Institution:

Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School, Queens

Mentors:

Richard Li

Abstract:

Throughout the advancements of criminal investigations, a multitude of different methods was discovered in order to make the investigations more efficient. Some of these methods include utilizing different aspects of forensic botany, such as palynology and systematics. Palynology is the study of pollen, and other types of grains and particles, while systematics is the classification of certain species and organisms. These two aspects can be vital to criminal investigations in many ways. One such example can be seen in Mildenhall’s study of hypericum pollen and the detection of suspects at a crime scene. This study provided an anecdote in which an intruder left behind a jacket at the crime scene, and attempted to retrieve this jacket, which led to him brushing against a hypericum bush by the house. The suspect’s clothes were taken for forensic examination, and pollen analysis determined that the suspect must have been in direct contact with a hypericum bush due to the vast percentag

Poster:

Team samples: