Is pollen the bee's knees of forensic science?

--:--
From quack dentists misinterpreting bite marks, to a few grains of glitter solving a crime, forensic science keeps the public enthralled. But what about one of the most accurate forensic disciplines that simply does not have enough resources? In this podcast, we look at the extraordinary world of forensic palynology in which tiny grains of pollen help solve some of the most mysterious crimes - including the local case of a murder victim who was moved to Knysna after she was killed.
17 Nov 2020 English South Africa Science

Other recent episodes

Milestone moments from the Covid-19 pandemic

Over the past two years, we’ve lost many people. Jobs have been lost, the economy has nosedived, our lifestyles have been altered forever. We are living through a serious historical milestone and in this episode we reflect on the unforgettable moments we’ve experienced. We chat to renowned medical historian and…
9 Nov 2021 13 min

The national shift in vaccine thinking 

Before SA had a secure and healthy stash of Covid-19 vaccines, there was a mighty push by the South African and African community to make sure that vaccines were being supplied equitably.  However, now that we have a bountiful supply of vaccines and have hopes to vaccinate enough of our…
23 Sep 2021 27 min

We're in a pandemic - but other extreme events are also on their way

When Charlotte Maxeke Hospital went up flames, as did parts of the Mother City, South Africans asked, 'what next?' and 'who caused it?' But the reality is this: being in a pandemic doesn't mean we aren't vulnerable to other disastrous events, and as the climate crisis intensifies, we are going…
9 Jun 2021 11 min

We have paid a hefty mental toll - a year since the land fell quiet

"We are now living in world where grief itself is transmitted globally," says Wits University historian Professor Hlonipha Mokoena. In this podcast, she speaks to Sunday Times reporter Tanya Farber about ways in which the South African and global psyche has changed since a pandemic swept across the globe, bringing…
25 Mar 2021 16 min