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The Power of Pollen

Solving the problem of pollen is nothing to sneeze at . But did you know that pollen can actually serve a useful purpose in solving mysteries?

Pollen, the powdery 'dust' that fertilizes plants, is the bane of allergy sufferers. But it's also the key to unlocking ancient secrets and solving present-day crimes.

For palynologists (pal - i - NOLL - o - jists), scientists who study the microscopic fragments of plants or animals, pollen is a powerful investigative tool with various useful characteristics.

First, it is remarkably durable . University of Arizona scientists estimate that the earliest known pollen dates back some 300 million years.

Second, pollen bears a unique 'signature' on each grain. In color, shape, structure and chemical composition, even a single grain allows scientists to identify the plant of origin.

Third, pollen settles on and sticks to just about everything. Thus, like a marker or sign, it links an object with the flora native to the area where the object was found.

For archeologists and others who delve into the remote past, pollen conveys vital information about extinct vegetation, ancient climate patterns, the diet of civilizations long since vanished and even the likely location of hidden oil or mineral deposits!

Of course we can't forget to mention the benefits that

pollen brings to detective work. So-called forensic palynologists examine pollen to apprehend or prosecute criminals. Upon close inspection, pollen taken from hair or clothing may undermine a suspect's claims that he or she wasn't near the crime scene. Pollen on a murder victim can indicate where the person was actually killed. Similarly, pollen on drugs seized by law-enforcement officers can pinpoint where a shipment originated.

Pollen is little more than a nuisance for allergy sufferers. But for palynologists, it can often provide vital links in a chain of evidence used to solve ancient mysteries or assist today's cops in putting the 'bad guys' behind bars !

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