A Study to Ascertain the Identity of Commercially Available Timbers Sold in South Karnataka through their Diagnostic and Anatomical features
Author Affiliations
- 1Department of Forensic Science, Jain University, Bengaluru, 27, Karnataka, India
- 2Department of Forensic Science, Jain University, Bengaluru, 27, Karnataka, India
Res. J. Forensic Sci., Volume 4, Issue (5), Pages 6-15, May,29 (2016)
Abstract
Forensic Botany traditionally deals with leaves, pollen, seeds and wood as evidence in investigations. However, the notion of identifying wood when encountered at a scene is still rare. Wood is the hard layer that comprises most trees, bushes and shrubs. Chemically, it consists of carbohydrates: Cellulose, Hemi-cellulose and Lignin, Pectins and other inorganics. The present study was conducted to ascertain the authenticity of some commercially available timbers in south Karnataka using simple techniques like physical analysis and microscopy. The 29 samples collected were from 8 different locations in south Karnataka. The samples were of six different species of economic importance, namely Teak, Honne, White Sal, Red Sal, Neem and Acacia, were studied. The study samples showed positive identification for Teak, Red Sal, Neem and Acacia species while the samples of White Sal were found identified to be other than that claimed in the market. The Honne samples however did not yield any confirmatory results.
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