Beyond DNA: Human Microbiome Signatures in Forensic Science—Current Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Forensic microbiomics is an emerging discipline that investigates the use of human associated and environmental microbial communities as complementary sources of forensic evidence. The recent development of next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, bioinformatics and computational biology has expanded the possibility to use microbiome analysis for forensic investigations, providing valuable biological information beyond conventional DNA profiling.

Methods: A thorough literature review was performed by searching the major scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, and IEEE Xplore. A critical review was performed on relevant peer-reviewed articles on forensic microbiomics, microbial profiling, sequencing technologies, bioinformatics and forensic applications, against pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected studies were synthesized to provide an overview of the current developments, methodological advances, forensic applications, existing challenges and future research directions.

Results: The literature surveyed shows that microbiome analysis has a great potential in a number of forensic applications such as personal identification, reconstruction of crime scenes, postmortem interval estimation, inference of geographical origin, sexual assault investigations, lifestyle reconstruction and identification of disaster victims. Advances in sequencing technologies, artificial intelligence and bioinformatics have made possible improved microbial characterization and predictive analyses. However, several limitations still exist, including methodological variability, environmental contamination, limited reference database, challenges of interpreting complex microbial data, and the requirement for standardized analytical protocols and large-scale validation prior to routine forensic application.

Conclusion: Forensic microbiomics is a promising complementary approach to conventional forensic DNA profiling by providing contextual biological information that cannot be obtained from human genetic markers only. Continuous developments in sequencing technologies, standard methods, world microbiome databases, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaboration will enhance its scientific credibility and practical utility. Microbiome analysis is unlikely to replace traditional DNA profiling, but its integration with established forensic methods can enhance evidence interpretation and help evolve modern forensic science.

Keywords: Human Microbiome; Forensic Microbiomics; Human Identification; Metagenomics; Microbial Signatures; Next-Generation Sequencing

Citation

Vishal Dhayal. Beyond DNA: Human Microbiome Signatures in Forensic Science—Current Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. WebLog J Forensic Sci Criminol. wjfsc.2026.g3104. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21845732