ENR Scientists Help Solve Murder. National Fire and Arson Report. Vol. 5, No. 6. 1987. p. 6.

Abstract: This article reports an incident in which a murder was witnessed but no supporting evidence could be found. The witness came forward with the story four years after the crime and investigators came up with no forensic evidence to corroborate the witness's account. The witness stated that the accused burned the body and provided the location. Plant pathologists were able to determine that a fire destroyed the tree's growth rings during the summer that the witness testified the murder occurred. An organic chemist further substantiated the story by discovering remnants of petroleum in the tree. No other surrounding trees contained the petroleum, proving that the spill was localized. The jury was able to convict the murderer on the witness's testimony and the corroborating forensic evidence.

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