How Microscopic Algae Are Helping Forensic Teams Catch Criminals

Environment





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Algae in water and soils can be a great forensic tool. Couperfield /shutterstock

From deserted fields and dark forests to murky rivers and concrete jungles, environments can leave traces of physical evidence on a criminal. This principle has been well known to crime scene investigators (both real and fictional) since the the late 1800s. However, figuring out what the most reliable pieces of evidence are – and how to best detect and analyse them – can be difficult.