Murder Most Florid – the Role of Forensic Botany
A talk hosted by The Arts Society South West London
Plants can be silent witnesses to a crime
The next meeting of The Arts Society South West London will feature a talk by Mark Spencer titled ‘Murder Most Florid’ in which he talks on the subject of forensic botany.
This is not a new science; indeed, it has played a role in solving major cases for decades, including the infamous murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s infant son. Plants are silent witnesses; their presence at a crime scene can help to identify a suspect or locate a victim. Even mundane plants such as brambles and nettles can provide insights into when a crime was committed and fragments of leaves and seeds on the footwear of a suspect can place them at the scene. An understanding of landscape history and land-use helps to distinguish between a clandestine burial site and a medieval grave.
Originally a horticulturist, Mark Spencer went on to study Botany at university and became a field botanist for a regional conservation organisation. Following 12 years as a botany curator at the Natural History Museum, London, he is now a consultant forensic botanist and occasional public speaker on TV and radio. His interests include the history of botany and botanic gardens, invasive non-native species and the flora of NW Europe.
The lecture takes place on Monday 9 October at 8pm at Dryburgh Hall. You can also register to view via Zoom on the society’s web site.
. If you have never attended an Arts Society lecture before you are urged to join and find out about your local Arts Society. Visit the society’s website for further details.
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September 22, 2023