The National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS) is a State of Florida Type II Research Center at the University of Central Florida.  Our mission is to provide relevant and responsive forensic science research, training and operational support to communities that rely on science to achieve justice. Our team of chemists, biochemists, physicists and statisticians work individually and in synergistic teams to perform basic and applied forensic science research. The Center also develops and curates databases and provides continuing education in support of the forensic communities.


 

New Publication

 

Evaluating the use of LC-MS-derived pollen coat chemical

signatures for the classification of plant species

Forensic Chemistry (2026) Vol. 50   100770

Jack Trimble, Camron Melendez, Kaity Cierpik, Natalie Martinez, Madison Adolfs, and Matthieu Baudelet

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Highlights

  • First study exploring the use of LC-MS- based profiling for the taxonomic identification of pollen.
  • Comparative chromatographic analysis revealed phylogenetic similarities.
  • LC-MS feature profiles served as chemical fingerprints for pollen identification.
  • Nondestructive extraction allows for complementary physical grain examination and greater data fusion.

A variety of colorful, spherical pollen grains viewed under a microscope, showing different shapes, sizes, and surface textures.