Dr. Mark Spencer studied botany at University of Reading, followed by a PhD on the evolution of aquatic fungi. He then became a field botanist for the London Wildlife Trust before joining London's Natural History Museum as a research assistant and, subsequently, senior curator. After receiving an out-of-the-blue phone call from the police, he embarked on a career as a forensic botanist. He is now self-employed and works with police forces and specialist forensic companies across the UK. Dr Spencer regularly appears on TV, most recently on Living the Life and Nature's Weirdest Events, as well as BBC2, BBC Radio 4, Sky News and Countryfile.