Transcript The Seedy Blanket

The Case of the
Seedy Blanket
There was no witness to the crime, except for the blue plaid
blanket fibers found recovered on the ceremonial figure. It
had been dragged into the marshy area behind the museum.
After four days, police finally identified a likely suspect. In
the trunk of her car was a blue plaid blanket---damp and
covered in crushed leaves and other plant material.
Detective Wright arrested
the suspect and immediately
called a forensic botanist to
examine the evidence.
“Interesting,” said Dr. Green, “it is unusual to see beard
grass, dog fennel, and beak rush growing together.”
Pointing to the leaves and seeds embedded
in the blanket, he continued, “Look, a few
seeds are starting to germinate.” He took
the blanket to the lab for further
investigation and collected plant samples
from the crime scene and around town.
At the trial, the suspect claimed that although she visited
the museum, she had never been outside except in the
museum’s parking lot. She had used the blanket during a
picnic at the city park on the day before her arrest.
Called to the witness stand
to provide expert testimony,
Dr. Green cleared his throat
and immediately began
confidently outlining
evidence that countered the
suspect’s claim.
What do you think this case is about?
What do you already know that relates to this case?
What do you need to know to understand the case?
How might this case be used to teach?
What sorts of plant information do you think
Dr. Green presented to the jurors that
indicated:
• Where the suspect had been?
• When?
Table of Potential Evidence
Evidence
Map of crime scene
Images of vegetation
Map of park
Images of vegetation
Plant specimens
Seed identifications
Germination data:
Temperature experiments
Germination data:
time sequence
Description
Conclusion
References for The Case of the Seedy Blanket
and Botanical Forensics
NATIONAL WILDLIFE MAGAZINE Feb/March 1992,
vol. 30 no. 2 When Scientists Become Sleuths by
Richard and Joyce Wolkomi
http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/index.cfm?issueID=87
Graham, S. 2006. Crime-solving plants. Plant
Science Bulletin 52(3).
http://www.botany.org/plantsciencebulletin/PSB52-3.pdf
Incorporating Online Resources:
Digital Image Collections, Distribution Maps
University of Florida Herbarium, Digital Imaging
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herbarium/cat/digitalimagingprojects.htm
Florida Flora Picture Gallery, Bushy Beardgrass habitat
http://www.virtualherbarium.org/lf/glomer.jpg
USDA Plants Database records on Dog Fennel, Bushy
Beardgrass, and Beak Rush
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EUCA5
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ANGL2
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHME3