Problem Statement: A mother whose baby had died of starvation, neglect and maltreatment claimed she had fed the baby fruit cocktail just before the baby died of accidental causes.

Methods: Police and prosecuting attorneys brought samples of the stomach contents of the dead baby to taxonomists at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The taxonomists were able to state positively that the stomach contained no evidence of peaches, pears, pineapple, grapes or cherries.

Outcomes and Impacts: The parents were convicted on several counts of child abuse and one count of murder.  They are currently serving prison terms.

Lessons: The use of taxonomy proved that the mother was trying to mislead the police and the courts.