Advancing forensic microbiome analyses for enhanced cross-border security

This project aims to build a collaborative network with EU partners (Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland) to foster interdisciplinary research and identify key challenges and opportunities in applying microbiome profiling to forensic investigations for improved civil security. Microbiome analysis (the study of the microbial genetic material in an environment) can assist in human identification, establishing links between individuals and crime scenes, determining cause and time of death, identifying exposure to biological agents, and aging biological materials found at crime scenes. Despite the growing body of research on this topic and the extremely promising data published, the applicability on forensic microbiology to real caseworks in Europe remains limited and the collaboration between countries almost non-existing. Multi-centric collaborations are therefore crucial to build knowledge, produce datasets, and ultimately support the integration of forensic microbiology into the criminal justice system, for improved security and faith in the criminal justice system.