The police have many different ways to find criminals. The most well-known are fingerprints, CCTV, and DNA. A new study shows that moss is used to solve crimes. Moss grows everywhere. Scientists say these tiny plants can be big clues police investigations. The scientists' research is the latest edition the journal Forensic Sciences Research. The scientists looked all the cases which moss was used to help solve crimes. Lead author Dr Matt von Konrat said: "We wanted to highlight the significance botanical evidence because...investigators may be overlooking it." He added: "We're hoping that our study helps show how important these tiny plants can be."
The earliest reported case police using moss to help an investigation was 1929. The amount moss a skeleton helped police know when the person had died. In 2013, scientists analyzed tiny bits moss a man's shoes. This helped to find where the man's baby daughter was buried. Dr von Konrat led a team that found the girl's body. He said: "Based the bits of moss, we knew what sort micro-habitat we were looking ." The father was convicted murder. Study author and forensic scientist Jenna Merkel said: "Through this paper, we aim to raise awareness forensic botany." She wants the police to better understand how moss can help investigations.
