Beautiful and warm hued Amber is not all it promises to be, it also has a rich heritage in forensic science as a window into the past. This amber stone is known for its rich colors and for having ancient inclusions that are important to forensic sciences in helping to uncover hidden secrets from ancient ecosystems, disease, and even criminal investigation.

In fact, this amber stone meaning is quite rare and besides its aesthetic side there lies something older than that, for this stone is a precious tool for the modern scientific research that it preserves the ancient life forms housed in its resinous structure.

In this blog, we take a look at the place that amber has in forensic science and how these amazing gems are used to uncover the fabulously gruesome mysteries of the distant past and the here and now.

Amber in Forensic Science

Amber has been used as a decorative stone for centuries because of its radiantly beautiful and naturally beautiful colors. In recent years, however, its significance in forensic science has increased, given its special ability to capture and preserve old organisms and particles. Scientists can unlock a wealth of information that would be lost to time through amber.

Amber Inclusions: A Snapshot of Ancient Life

Probably the most remarkable feature of amber is its knack for preserving tiny inclusions, the likes of insects, plant matter, and, crucially, microscopic organisms. This ‘entrapment’ process allows scientists to study organisms from so many millions of years ago that their bodies are preserved in amber’s resin.

• These amber precious stones are used by forensic scientists to study ancient ecosystems, piece together the evolutionary history of species and even to detect diseases that had been afflicting ancient organisms.
• Insects: Such information is provided by the inclusion of prehistoric insects in amber. By studying these trapped creatures, scientists can close in on ancient food chains, climate conditions and ecological interactions.
• Microorganisms: Amber also preserves bacteria, fungi, and algae that we can study ancient pathogens. But these can give clues as to how diseases evolved and spread in ancient groups, providing data for forensics microbiology.
• Pictured: These inclusions are not relics of the past, but rather they are key clues for understanding the environment, biology and even health of ancient ecosystems.  

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Amber in Criminal Forensics: It’s a Unique Tool for Investigation.

And paleontological research isn’t the only way Amber contributes to forensic science — it has a use in modern criminal investigations too. Amber can also contain particles, DNA and other ‘environmental’ traces that the forensic experts use to solve crimes. When examining amber stone in criminal investigations, experts can uncover:

Identification of Biological Evidence

• DNA Traps: Indeed some forensic scientists have found human or animal DNA preserved in amber inclusions. For criminal investigations it is incredibly useful, especially in cold cases where traditional DNA evidence is no longer viable.
• Pollen and Environmental Traces: By studying these inclusions, investigators can provide information about the origin of its amber sample and a spot on the map where the crime could have happened. Amber crystal  therefore makes for a unique tool to link a suspect to a specific crime scene.

Armed with amber, scientists also are getting vital temporal information. That means, because amber is formed over millions of years, the age of the amber can be studied to see if inclusions within the amber were trapped more recently, which would give a specific timespan around the crime.

Amber in Forensic Science and Archaeology

However, Amber’s influence doesn’t end there — she helped shape forensic science, and paleontology. Like every other kind of gem, amber stone offers you numerous benefits, as it helps them understand the stage of ancient civilizations and the disciplines they applied. Ancient tombs and burial sites uncover Amber stone artifacts as clues as to what practices were culturally important, what networks trade passed through, and what value was ascribed to the material itself in different ancient societies.

Amber used in Ancient Civilizations

Cultural and Spiritual Significance: Amber was known throughout ancient cultures for its supposedly healing and spiritual properties. It was also used in amulets and in jewelry and other artifacts. 

• Many cultures associate the amber stone spiritual meaning with protection, healing and longevity. These artifacts have been studied by archaeologists largely for what they can tell us about the cultural practices of previous, ancient civilizations.
• Trade and Economy: Amber was also a useful commodity to trade, and in antiquity could be purchased between distant lands. Ancient amber artifacts from study can determine ancient trade routes, the economic importance of amber in the historical context. Explore some other similar gemstones such as Moonstone crystal, Labradorite and Moldavite stone.

Conclusion: 

Amber is really much more than just a pretty gem, with the fossilised secrets of ancient life it provides for forensic scientists and archaeologists as invaluable time capsules. This gemstone can solve ancient mysteries and in crime work from its amber stone benefits, and its modern science can continue to prove just how versatile it is.And if you’re interested in collecting or studying this fascinating gem, there are plenty of amber gemstones for sale so you can hold it in your hand to feel a bit of ancient history. Whether you find yourself attracted to amber because of its beauty, spiritual importance or because it is a key scientific research ingredient, the fact of the matter is that amber is a gemstone, perhaps one of the few that is tied to the past, connected in ways that others can’t.