DNA from wood - A simple approach facing a challenging matrix - A preliminary study.

Plant DNA barcoding has proven to be a handy tool for identifying botanical species. However, extracting DNA from woody materials is often a challenging task. Forensic applications, therefore, must be able to overcome the technical difficulties of this nature.

Forensic botany and forensic chemistry working together: application of plant DNA barcoding as a complement to forensic chemistry-a case study in Brazil.

Recently, Brazilian Federal Police used forensic chemistry and forensic botany techniques on a case. Two packets containing fragmented plant matter were seized and sent for forensic analysis. Forensic chemistry, the gold standard for evaluating plant material suspected to contain illicit substances, did not find illicit materials.