Abstract
The Human Genome Project's (HGP) completion in 2003 laid the groundwork for further research into the human body. This paved the way for microbiome sequencing, revealing the diverse microbial communities within the human body. These advancements led to the emergence of microbial forensics, leveraging Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies like Amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics for individual identification. Unlike traditional genetic profiling, microbiome analysis provides insights beyond genetic profiling, offering information about an individual's lifestyle and environment. Microbial communities on the skin's surface and objects can serve as trace evidence, aiding in suspect identification and investigative leads. Despite its promise, challenges remain, including the acceptance of microbiome data in legal contexts and environmental influences on sample accuracy. Overcoming initial hurdles akin to DNA evidence's early stages, microbial forensics stands poised to become a valuable tool in providing justice.
Recommended Citation
Konieczny, Sophia
(2024)
"The Use of Microbiome Sequencing to Identify Individuals in Forensic Science,"
Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science: Vol. 12
:
Iss.
1
, Article 2.
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/themis/vol12/iss1/2
