Green clues: unveiling the role of bryophytes in forensic science

Abstract

Forensic botany is the use of plant material as evidence to aid in forensic investigations. Bryology is the study of bryophytes, which consist of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Botanical evidence as a whole, and more specifically potential bryophyte evidence, is an underused potential tool that can provide crucial information in criminal investigations. This paper (i) outlines a review of all bryophyte applications to forensic science, to the best of our knowledge, (ii) demonstrates the potential of using this type of evidence, (iii) presents details into each case, and (iv) highlights the various uses of bryophytes as forensic evidence. From our review, all cases have seemingly been limited to mosses. The overarching goal is for this review to be a resource that encourages law enforcement to search for plant fragments and microscopic bryophytes. Key Points Bryophytes are an underutilized potential tool within forensic science. Bryophytes are ubiquitous as well as have a number of unique features and can be found in almost every environment around the world. Many reported and published case reports exemplify the numerous applications for bryophytes and other botanical evidence within forensic science.