Application of mycology in forensic science

Abstract

Forensic Mycology is the application of Mycology for producing evidence in terms of criminal investigation and their further evaluation in the court of law. The problem with relative neglect of Mycology in Forensic science is currently leading to insufficient knowledge, in order to support the needs for fungal expertise in areas of criminal investigation. Mucor hiemalis and Penicillium griseofulvum had been used to determine the minimum interval since death, Coprinus comatus, Hebeloma radicosum, Hebeloma syriense, Hebeloma vinosephyllum, Coprinus neolagopus and  Coprinus phlyctidosporus has been proven useful inlocating clandestine burial sites such as mass grave, Lecanora dispersa in connecting victim and suspect and establishing locations, and Parmelia saxatilis, Caloplaca and Lecanora species had also been proven to be helpful in determining the cause of death and exhumation corpses. There are number of forensically related disciplines of science which when combined with Mycology can be beneficial for the contemporary criminal justice system. The disciplines include Pedology, Palynology, Taphonomy and Toxicology. Starting with Mycology in the realms of Taphonomy, the relationship between Mycology in combination with Pedology and Palynology were also explained. The use of Fusarium sp and Metarhizium anisopliae in relation to Toxicology and Biological warfare has been practised and proposed respectively. The use of Mycology in criminal investigation has been proven to be of importance in situations where mycological evidence is found on and around a crime scene. Efforts should be intensified on the development of Mycology in Forensic science.

Table of contents

              i.                   Certification…………………………………………………………

            ii.                   Acknowledgement………………………………………………….

         iii.                   Dedication ………………………………………………………….

         iv.                   Table of contents…………………………………………………...

1.1.                   Introduction………………………………………………………….

1.2.                   When to consider forensic mycology……………………………….

1.3.                   Forensic mycology relationship with other discipline………………

1.3.1.              Mycology and Taphonomy………………………………………….

1.3.2.              Mycology, Pedology and Palynology……………………………….

1.3.3.              Mycology and Toxicology…………………………………………..

1.4.                   Fungi of forensic capability…………………………………………

1.5.                   Importance of forensic mycology…………………………………..

1.5.1.           Estimating postmortem interval……………………………………

1.5.2.           Time of decomposition………………………………………........

1.5.3.           Location of corpses………………………………………………..

1.5.4.           Biological warfare…………………………………………………

1.5.5.           Mycology as Trace evidence……………………………………...

1.6.                   Conclusion………………………………………………………...

1.7.                   Developing forensic Mycology……………………………………

1.8.                   Recommendation………………………………………………….

1.9.                   References ………………………………………………………...