Forensic Ecogenomics

Forensic Ecogenomics

The Application of Microbial Ecology Analyses in Forensic Contexts
2018, Pages 211-234
Forensic Ecogenomics

Chapter 9 - Summary: An Assessment of Achievements, Limitations, and Potential of Forensic Ecogenomics

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Abstract

Since “forensic ecogenomics” is an emergent area, the preceding chapters highlighted the potentials of the methods used and the knowledge gaps together with the future investigations required to address these for research and application purposes. Therefore this summary chapter is a synthesis of the in-chapter deliberations on how (molecular) micro-/macrobial ecology methods adoption can improve the crime scene investigative toolkit and enhance an understanding of the role of body decomposition in postmortem interval/postburial interval determinations. Critical links are drawn between different forensic subdisciplines and their likely parallel usage in real crime scenes. For instance, decomposition-related forensic ecogenomics, encompassing mycoforensics, would provide more robust intelligence gathering if used in parallel with forensic taphonomy, forensic entomology, forensic chemistry, forensic geoscience, and geoforensics. Further to this are considerations of studying the human microbiome antemortem for use in “microbial fingerprinting,” for example. Therefore the potential role of existing and bespoke genechips is also explored.

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