Introduction to forensic palynology
Modena, 9-13 June 2025
on the forensic utility of pollen,
and on the identification of pollen
using the Reference Collection for Central Europe and the Mediterranean
DSV, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena-Italy
LPP – Campus Unimore, via Campi LABS
Microscopy labs: https://www.dsv.unimore.it/it/node/199
Chemical lab: https://www.dsv.unimore.it/it/node/198
9 June, Monday
- 14:30 – 15:00 Opening, presentation of the course
- 15:00 – 16:00 Palynology: history of a botanical science (history, forensic palynology in Italy)
- 16:00 – 18:00 Applied palynology (part 1: aims and applications; part 2: forensic palynology)
10 June, Tuesday
- 09:30 – 12:30 Pollen morphology: Erdtman’s parameters, observation of pollen slides on morphology features (without cytoplasm)
- 14:30 – 18:00 Chemical lab: pollen extraction from mosses; preparation of slides
11 June, Wednesday
- 09:30 – 12:30 Pollen morphology and pollination (part 1: what is the pollen, and its evolution, part 2: interpretation)
- 14:30 – 18:00 Practical activity: visit to the Reference Pollen Collection; microscope observation of pollen slides on evolution (without cytoplasm)
12 June, Thursday
- 09:30 – 12:30 Pollen sampling (part 1: aerobiological traps; part 2: extraction from sediments)
- 14:30 – 18:00 Practical activity: use of stereomicroscope for pollen extraction from anthers; artificial spore traps; microscope observation of aerobiological pollen (with cytoplasm)
13 June, Friday
- 9:30 – 12:30 Practical activity: pollen analysis (mixed slides); conclusive remarks
Registration: annamaria.mercuri@unimore.it, assunta.florenzano@unimore.it
Natural Traces – Project 101120165 https://naturaltraces.com