Forensic botany is not limited to the research of wood. It uses all sorts of plants and plant parts, such as pollen, algae, and grass. Because different plants grow in different areas, a forensic botanist can usually tell if a body has been moved by looking at the plant material that is on it. For example, a twig caught in a belt buckle might be from a pine forest that is a few miles away. Plants can also be used to see where a body drowned by looking at the type of algae present in the victim's lungs. Forensic botanists can look at disturbed plants and soil to see if a body has been buried in the area. They can also look at broken branches or other foliage to piece together where a crime took place and what happened. Forensic botanists are the only forensic experts who do not work with human remains, and they might have the hardest job of all. Often the plant material that gets caught on people's skin and clothes is microscopic, making it difficult to find and difficult to research. Sources: http://www.crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org/forensic-botanist/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToRbA2y-9jc
