Forensic Microbiology: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

                                                               Abstract
Forensic microbiology is an interdisciplinary field integrating microbiology with forensic science to aid legal investigations. It focuses on identifying and analyzing microbial communities—bacteria, fungi, and viruses—associated with human remains, environments, or objects. Its applications range from postmortem interval (PMI) estimation to bioterrorism detection and suspect identification. With the rise of molecular biology techniques, including metagenomics and next-generation sequencing, forensic microbiology has become increasingly relevant when traditional methods prove insufficient, such as in cases involving skeletal or extensively decomposed remains¹. Each individual and environment harbours a unique microbial signature, enabling forensic investigators to use microbiomes as trace evidence². These signatures are shaped by ecological, geographic, and physiological factors, offering specificity in linking evidence to people or places³. This review presents a comprehensive overview of methodologies, applications, and significant developments in forensic microbiology, while also discussing limitations and future directions⁴.