CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY’S HERBARIUM BLENDS SCIENCE, CONSERVATION AND CRIME-SOLVING

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The Professor Kasin Suvatabhandhu Herbarium (BCU), operated by the Department of Botany at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, has served as a vital hub for plant research and identification in Thailand.

Chulalongkorn University Science Service Officer, Parinyanoot Klinratana highlighted the herbarium’s diverse roles and recounted instances where plant materials found on suspects’ clothing were analysed to determine their origin and whether they came from restricted areas, aiding law enforcement.

Not only did the herbarium help the Customs Department identify and trace shallot species, but it also supports the academic and research community by maintaining a comprehensive plant specimen collection and offering plant analysis services.

According to a statement, the herbarium has amassed over 20,000 plant specimens and evolved into a national resource that aids not only academic institutions but also government agencies and private enterprises.

The specimens serve as a reference for the study of biodiversity, support the food and pharmaceutical industries, and help identify invasive species, and the herbarium also assists in forensic investigations, showcasing the multidisciplinary applications of botanical science.

These examples illustrate how plant identification has real-world applications surpassing the classroom, while also showing how plant materials can serve as silent witnesses in crime investigations, indicators of environmental risk, or hindrances to business transactions.

Bridging science and society via various sectors’ collaboration, the herbarium acts as a national plant database and supports Thailand’s commitment to environmental conservation and biodiversity as well as global regulatory standards with its scientific expertise and systematic processes, which reinforce the importance of accurate plant taxonomy.

By combining specimen preservation with expert analysis, the Professor Kasin Suvatabhandhu Herbarium ensures that Thailand’s rich plant biodiversity is not only studied and safeguarded but also applied across multiple sectors, including science, medicine and law.

-- BERNAMA