Botanist tells how nettles helped solve Soham murders

Botanist Patricia Wiltshire played a crucial role in solving the Soham murders in 2002 by using her expertise in stinging nettles. Her forensic knowledge helped secure the conviction of Ian Huntley for the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Wiltshire, a palynologist, discussed her lifelong love of nature and how plants can reveal secrets on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. She explained how trace evidence like pollen can indicate the type of plants in an area, aiding in crime scene investigations. In the Soham case, Wiltshire observed the growth of stinging nettles in a ditch where the bodies were found, determining the time since the girls had been left there. Her attention to subtle clues like trodden nettles and broken twigs helped pinpoint the murderer's path. Despite the satisfaction of solving puzzles, Wiltshire empathizes with the families of victims, drawing on her own experiences of loss. Her work in forensic botany has provided her with a deep sense of compassion for those affected by such tragedies.