Abstract
Pollen grains and spores which are abundant in the air have significant potential as forensic tools especially in Nigeria where vehicle-related crimes are common. This study investigated urban pollen and spore applications in forensics by developing datasets and establishing a baseline for evidence collection. Using a systematic line transect method, vegetation types along the Ijesa-Akure Road were documented. Monthly dust and soot samples were collected from the air filters of 11 commercial vehicles with new filters installed at the commencement of the study from January 2020 to December 2022. Palynological analysis was conducted using standard techniques, and the resulting data were statistically correlated with mean monthly rainfall, air temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity using a Pearson correlation test (P < 0.05) to assess significance. Palynological analysis revealed 732 plants belonging to 35 genera, 38 species, and 20 families. The Poaceae family was dominant (40.98%), followed by Asteraceae (19.53%), Musaceae (6.28%), Malvaceae (5.73%), and Convolvulaceae (5.05%). A total of 1,749 pollen grains and 140 spores, comprising 63 pollen and 11 spore types, were identified. A pollen-vegetation relationship of 23.68% highlighted key contributors such as Sida veronicaefolia, Filipendula ulmaria, and Hymenocardia acida, native to the study area. Significant correlations between monthly palynomorph counts and meteorological factors, particularly air temperature and wind speed, emphasized the role of weather in pollen and spore dispersion. This study integrates palynological evidence to enhance forensic investigations by establishing a baseline dataset that enables location-specific tracking, crime scene reconstruction, and suspect identification using pollen and spores.
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Claims 10
Claim · model-written summary
Palynological analysis revealed 732 plants belonging to 35 genera, 38 species and 20 families.
- Taxon
- plantsViridiplantaee1
- Outcome
- belonging to 35 genera, 38 species, and 20 familiese1
- Value
- 732e1
Verbatim
e1“Palynological analysis revealed 732 plants belonging to 35 genera, 38 species, and 20 families”
Claim · model-written summary
Poaceae was the dominant family, at 40.98%.
Verbatim
e2“The Poaceae family was dominant (40.98%)”
Claim · model-written summary
Asteraceae was among the most frequent families, following Poaceae, at 19.53%.
- Taxon
- AsteraceaeAsteraceaee3
- Outcome
- followed bye3
- Value
- 19.53%e3
Verbatim
e3“followed by Asteraceae (19.53%), Musaceae (6.28%), Malvaceae (5.73%), and Convolvulaceae (5.05%)”
Claim · model-written summary
Musaceae was among the most frequent families, following Poaceae, at 6.28%.
Verbatim
e3“followed by Asteraceae (19.53%), Musaceae (6.28%), Malvaceae (5.73%), and Convolvulaceae (5.05%)”
Claim · model-written summary
Malvaceae was among the most frequent families, following Poaceae, at 5.73%.
Verbatim
e3“followed by Asteraceae (19.53%), Musaceae (6.28%), Malvaceae (5.73%), and Convolvulaceae (5.05%)”
Claim · model-written summary
Convolvulaceae was among the most frequent families, following Poaceae, at 5.05%.
- Taxon
- ConvolvulaceaeConvolvulaceaee3
- Outcome
- followed bye3
- Value
- 5.05%e3
Verbatim
e3“followed by Asteraceae (19.53%), Musaceae (6.28%), Malvaceae (5.73%), and Convolvulaceae (5.05%)”
Claim · model-written summary
A total of 1,749 pollen grains comprising 63 pollen types were identified.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e4“A total of 1,749 pollen grains and 140 spores, comprising 63 pollen and 11 spore types, were identified”
Claim · model-written summary
A total of 140 spores comprising 11 spore types were identified.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e4“A total of 1,749 pollen grains and 140 spores, comprising 63 pollen and 11 spore types, were identified”
Claim · model-written summary
A pollen-vegetation relationship of 23.68% was found, with Sida veronicaefolia, Filipendula ulmaria and Hymenocardia acida as key contributors.
Verbatim
e5“A pollen-vegetation relationship of 23.68% highlighted key contributors such as Sida veronicaefolia, Filipendula ulmaria, and Hymenocardia acida”
Claim · model-written summary
Monthly palynomorph counts correlated significantly with meteorological factors, particularly air temperature and wind speed.
- Treatment
- meteorological factors, particularly air temperature and wind speede6
- Outcome
- monthly palynomorph countse6
Not reportedTaxonDirection
Verbatim
e6“Significant correlations between monthly palynomorph counts and meteorological factors, particularly air temperature and wind speed”