Botanical Super Sleuth Speaking At Te Manawa
In a public talk at Te Manawa on Tuesday 17 September, a New Zealander considered to be the world's leading forensic
botanist will be describing how tiny grains of pollen have helped police track down killers.
Dr Dallas Mildenhall was recently acknowledged in New Scientist as pioneer palynologist. Palynology is the study of
plant spores and pollen - which might sound like an obscure area of research but in recent years police forces the world
over have begun to recognise the value of palynology in their forensic enquiries.
He has been involved in a number of high profile criminal enquiries in New Zealand and his reputation has spread abroad,
"The FBI and other organisations have rung up for advice" he says.
His successes are possible because every crime scene has its own unique pollen signature created by the surrounding
flowers, trees and grasses. An expert like Dr Mildenhall can identify the characteristics of a given location and prove
a connection between a victim, a suspect and a location.
The talk begins at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 September and has been organised by the Manawatu branch of the Royal Society of
New Zealand in conjunction with the Whodunnit? exhibition currently showing at Te Manawa. Whodunnit? will be open free
to the public from 6.30pm on the night.