Within the framework of supporting scientific research and spreading the culture of sustainable development, and within the continuing education programs, the Department of forensic evidence at the Faculty of science at Mosul University, on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, held a scientific workshop entitled “The plant is a silent witness: applications of plant forensic evidence and its relationship to sustainable development”, attended by assistant teacher Rasha Mohammed Saleh and assistant teacher Sawsan Jamal Anwar, in the presence of the head of the forensic evidence Department, Professor Dr. Haitham Luqman Shihab, the Department’s rapporteur, and a number of department teachers and students. The workshop included a review of the concept of plant evidence and its importance in criminal investigations, and the role of the most prominent modern technologies in this field, including Forensic Palynology and its importance in spatial correlation, genetic fingerprinting and genetic barcode of plants (DNA Barcoding) in identifying species and tracing the sources of wood and plants, as well as the role of analysis of plant remains found in the contents of the digestive tract in providing supporting information in criminal cases. The workshop also highlighted the role of plant evidence in combating environmental crimes, protecting forests and biodiversity, and contributing to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, and concluded with an interactive case study to apply the scientific concepts presented in a criminal scenario, to enhance understanding of the applied aspects of this specialization. This workshop comes as a confirmation of the Criminal Evidence Department’s keenness to keep abreast of scientific developments and modern technologies, and expand the fields of employing Plant Sciences in criminal investigations, Environmental Protection and community service. We wish our teachers the best for their time of giving and creativity, and to continue their scientific efforts to serve the community and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge.

Government information and Communication Division

Saturday, November 14, 2026