Abstract
Forensic microbiomics is a promising tool for crime investigation. Geolocation, which connects an individual to a certain place or location by microbiota, has been fairly well studied in the literature, and several applications have been found. The aim of this review is to highlight the main findings in this field, including the current sample storage, DNA extraction, sequencing and data analysis techniques that are being used, and its potential applications in human trafficking and ancient DNA studies. Second, the challenges and limitations of forensic microbiomics and geolocation are emphasised, providing recommendations for the establishment of this tool in the forensic science community.
Highlights
The microbiome is not a novel concept, given that the term was developed during the late 1980s by Whipps et al [1] to refer to a group of microorganisms living in a defined area
The microbiome has been defined as a certain microbial community that lives in a defined area with certain physical and chemical properties, and the microbiota includes an assembly of microorganisms that belong to different kingdoms, including their microbial structures, metabolic reagents or products and mobile or relic DNA/RNA elements
We investigated state-of-the-art geolocation in forensic microbiology, exploring the main advances in recent years as well as the current challenges and limitations of this emerging tool in forensic science
Summary
The microbiome is not a novel concept, given that the term was developed during the late 1980s by Whipps et al [1] to refer to a group of microorganisms living in a defined area. Chemotaxonomy, the description of new species based on the study of the composition of cell walls or bacterial cytochromes, became common from 1960 to 1980; it was supplanted by the arrival of 16S ribosome DNA or rDNA (see Figure 1) gene sequencing during the mid-1990s. 2. Forensic Microbiome as a Tool for Geolocation “Every contact leaves a trace” is probably the most important axiom in forensic science, given that it was first established by Locard during the early 20th century. Forensic Microbiome as a Tool for Geolocation “Every contact leaves a trace” is probably the most important axiom in forensic science, given that it was first established by Locard during the early 20th century This statement has been applied by forensic scientists since in all forensic fields, and it can be applied to microbiome studies [13].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
