JIST

Abstract

Forensic mycology is an emerging tool of forensic science. To solve various crime cases, it contributes to many forensic investigations like use of fungi such as trace evidence in linking suspect with the place or object, accidental poisoning cases due to consumption of misidentified mushrooms, illegal trade of narcotic and psychotropic species and to estimate time since death. The evidentiary clue material found at the crime scene in forensic casework is often compromised morphologically and samples of fungi are generally recovered in the form of powder, cooked, dried, on human cadavers, in gut contents and vomit. To know the cause and time since death in such cases is often a challenging task for investigating agencies. So, from forensic toxicological point of view it becomes necessary to correctly identify the species and toxins involved. In the present study, the importance of mycology and a systematic approach for the forensic analysis of fungal evidence when encountered in criminal investigations has been reviewed.