Methods in Microbial Forensics

A new subfield of forensics - microbial forensics - has been created, which is focused on characterization of evidence from a bioterrorism act, biocrime or an inadvertent release. Microbial forensic investigations involve evidence collection, handling and preservation, extraction of target, analysis of evidence and interpretation of results. The tools for attribution include genetic and non genetic based assays leading to high level characterization. An effective microbial forensics program requires validation of all aspects of the forensic investigative process from sample collection to interpretation of results.