Breaking News English

The police have many different ways to [find / fine] criminals. The most well-known are fingerprints, CCTV, and DNA. A new study shows that [mossy / moss] is used to solve crimes. Moss [growing / grows] everywhere. Scientists say these [tiny / tinny] plants can be big clues in police [investigates / investigations] . The scientists' research is in the latest edition of the journal Forensic Sciences Research. The scientists looked at all the [boxes / cases] in which moss was used to help [solve / solution] crimes. Lead author Dr Matt von Konrat said: "We wanted to highlight the significance [to / of] botanical evidence because...investigators may be [overlooking / undercooking] it." He added: "We're hoping that our study helps show how important these tiny plants can [have / be] ."

The [earliest / earlier] reported case of police using moss to help [at / in] an investigation was in 1929. The amount [of / for] moss on a skeleton helped police know when the person had died. In 2013, scientists analyzed tiny [bit / bits] of moss on a man's shoes. This helped to find where the man's baby daughter was [buried / burial] . Dr von Konrat led a team that found the girl's body. He said: "Based on the bits of moss, we knew [that / what] sort of micro-habitat we were looking for." The father was convicted [of / on] murder. Study author and forensic [science / scientist] Jenna Merkel said: "Through this paper, we aim to [raise / rise] awareness of forensic botany." She wants the police to better understand how moss can help [among / during] investigations.