Forensic Palynology in the United States: The Search for Geolocation

First used over 50 years ago, forensic palynology is an underutilized but important tool for law enforcement agencies around the world. Despite its continued use in other countries, limited funding and awareness among law enforcement agencies prevented the widespread use of forensic palynology in the United States. Following 9/11, however, federal agencies began experimenting with "nonconventional" tools in the war against terrorism, including forensic palynology. Successful cases in the early 2000's ultimately led U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire a full-time palynologist, becoming the first U. S. law enforcement agency to have a forensic palynologist on staff.