Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 4

Microbial Forensics: An Overview

1Assistant Professor (Research), Faculty of Dental Sciences and Nursing, Central Research Laboratory, Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University)

2Senior Research Coordinator, Regional Institute of Biotechnology

3Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

*Corresponding Author: Shakti Rath, Assistant Professor (Research), Faculty of Dental Sciences and Nursing, Central Research Laboratory, Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha ‘O ’Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, e-mail: dr.shaktirath@gmail.com

Online published on 27 November, 2019.

Abstract

The field of Microbial forensics involves microorganisms for the discovery of evidence against “bioterrorism act, biocrime, or inadvertent microorganism/toxin release for attribution purposes”. This is an upcoming area of research, which is still in its initial phases of development and is currently facing tremendous scientific and ethical challenges to find a strong base for its existence. This article highlights the prospects and challenges in the field of Microbial Forensics and how it can be addressed. This article also highlights utilization improved molecular techniques for the improvement of microbial forensics.

Keywords

Microbial Forensics, Bioweapons, Biological threats, Molecular approaches, Challenges, Prospects, Scientific development