The police use fingerprints, CCTV, and DNA to find criminals. A new study shows that moss is also useful in police investigations. In the study, scientists looked at all the cases in which the police used moss to help solve crimes. Lead scientist Dr Matt von Konrat said he wanted the police to understand more about moss. He wrote: "We're hoping that our study helps show how important these tiny plants can be."

Moss first helped the police in 1929. In 2013, scientists found moss on a man's shoes. This helped the police to find where the man's baby was buried. Dr von Konrat said: "Based on the bits of moss, we knew what sort of micro-habitat we were looking for." The baby's father was convicted of murder. Another forensic scientist said she wanted the police to understand more about how moss can help them in their work.