Forensic botany has ceased to be a resource for TV series and has become a real tool in criminal investigations. In this 3D pipeline, we analyze how pollen particles adhered to textile fibers can reconstruct the crime scene, place the suspect in a specific location and time, and provide evidence that genetics cannot always offer.
3D Pipeline: Capture, Modeling, and Comparison of Pollen Grains 🌸
The process begins with sample extraction using special adhesive tape on the suspect's clothing. Subsequently, high-resolution photogrammetry is performed to generate 3D models of each pollen grain, capturing its morphology, texture, and size. These models are compared against a database of local flora, using pattern recognition algorithms that cross-reference the information with vegetation maps and meteorological data. The result is an interactive visual report that places the garment within a radius of a few kilometers and with a 48-hour time window. The accuracy of the method depends on the number of grains captured and the seasonality of the species involved.
When the Pine Points a Finger at You (or a Needle) 🌲
It turns out the suspect, who claimed he had not left home all week, had pollen on his jacket from a pine tree that only grows in a park thirty kilometers away. Neither GPS nor security cameras: a simple sneeze from nature placed him at the crime scene. The most ironic part is that his defense tried to argue that pollen travels by wind, but the 3D report proved that the concentration and species were too specific. Now, his alibi has deflated like a dandelion.