Botanical Skills NI: Murder Most Florid

Plants are often the silent witnesses to serious crimes. From brambles and nettles revealing accurate timelines to leaf fragments and seeds on footwear placing a suspect at a crime scene, botanical evidence plays a vital role in modern forensics. Beyond immediate physical traces, a deep understanding of land-use history can help investigators distinguish a clandestine burial from an ancient woodland feature. Far from a new science, forensic botany has helped solve major criminal cases for decades, including the infamous Lindbergh kidnapping.

Join us online for this fascinating Botanical Skills Northern Ireland Project talk with Dr Mark Spencer. As a practicing forensic botanist, Dr Spencer applies his plant expertise to high-profile criminal investigations, child welfare cases, boundary disputes, and property seizures. In this talk, he will share insights into how botanical analysis aids investigations and provides crucial evidence for the courtroom.

Booking: If you are having trouble booking online, please phone the main BSBI phone number between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm for assistance: +44 (0) 7404 231178.

Accessibility: If you have any questions about accessibility or specific needs that would help you take part comfortably, please feel free to contact us on bookings@bsbi.og or +44 (0) 7404 231178.

The BSBI has a culture of mutual respect, and takes seriously the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in our events. We want everyone at our events to enjoy themselves, and we expect everyone to act in a respectful manner towards others at all times. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour of any kind, and will treat any reported incidents seriously.